Abstract: A paper sheet manipulating apparatus and a paper sheet transaction apparatus for manipulating paper sheets such as bills includes an inlet/outlet port allowing input and output of paper sheets and rotating between the paper sheets inlet position and the paper sheet feeding position; a separating means projected to the outlet port and drawn back to the draw-back position, distinguish, when projected, the paper sheets inputted to the inlet port and the paper sheets to be returned and accommodate the paper sheets into the outlet port; an accommodation section for accommodating the paper sheets; a temporary storing section for temporarily storing the paper sheets which should not be accommodated in the accommodation section or should not be exhausted and a plurality of cassettes for feeding and collecting the paper sheets in the accommodation section and for feeding and collecting the paper sheets in the outlet port, whereby a fault is little generated and manipulations can be continued at a high speed for a long

Abstract: A loader disposed in a low cleanliness room along a border between the low cleanliness room and a high cleanliness room, for transporting a dust free article between an inside of a container receiving the dust free article to the high cleanliness room, which comprises: (a) a stage for mounting the container; (b) an opening portion through which the dust free article is transported between the inside of the container and the high cleanliness room; (c) a door for opening and closing the opening portion; (d) unifying means for unifying a cover of the container and the door when the container approaches the door; and (e) a driving means for transferring unified cover and door within the loader to simultaneously open and close the opening portion and the container.

Abstract: In an electronic component supply device electronic components are accommodated within cavities formed in a carrier tape of which surface is covered with a top tape. A peeling portion for peeling off the top tape from the carrier tape includes a peel-away cutout portion cut into a tape transfer direction. A thin plate has an angled portion having a rounded portion. A concavity, in which the thin plate operates, is formed in the tape pressing member downstream of the peel-away cutout portion in the tape transfer direction.

Abstract: A tape feeder for a part mounter including a guide frame into which first through third guide portions and a stripper are incorporated, a driving motor installed on the rear surface of the guide frame, first through third gears for transmitting the power of the driving motor, a sprocket coaxially installed on the third gear, the sprocket having teeth formed on the outer circumferential surface to be inserted into grooves formed on the tape having parts attached thereto and a plurality of slots formed along the circumference of the sprocket, a cover take-up apparatus assembly having a first pulley installed on one gear among the first and second gears, a belt hung on the first pulley, a second pulley which rotates by a driving force transmitted via the belt, and a take-up reel installed coaxially with respect to the second pulley, a cover tension apparatus assembly having an axle gear interlocked with the third gear, a peel roller which is installed coaxially with the axle gear and rotates, and a pinch roller

Abstract: A wafer treatment apparatus is divided into a working zone (S1) and a loading zone (S2) by a wall (2). A closed wafer cassette(3) has a cassette body 31 having a bottom wall provided witha normally closed valve (5). A vent pipe (51) has one end part projecting from a cassette table (6) disposed in the working zone (S1) and the other end part opening into the loading zone (S2). When the cassette (3) is placed on the cassette table (6), the vent pipe (51) wedges through an incision formed in the valve (5) into the wafer cassette (3) to enable the interior of the cassette (3) to communicate with the loading zone (S2). Consequently, the pressure difference between the interior of the cassette (3) and the loading zone (S2) is reduced to naught.

Abstract: A configuration for positioning components within the compartments on a delivery belt prior to their removal by an onserting apparatus. The configuration can include a brush and a vibrator.

Abstract: The system defines an assembly formed by a truck with a compacting box of wastes and handling crane (3) of a receptor container, and containing the wastes assigned to be compacted, the compacting is carried out by a displaceable wall in the inside of compacting box, the crane (3) including a hooking device (12) of the container in order to place this one facing the upper loading door (7) of the compacting box (2), as well as a mechanism (16) to produce the opening of the corresponding unloading gates foreseen to such effect in the container (4) itself, when the hooking device (12) reaches the stop (13) in its displacement over the crane boom, the unloading gates (17) ot the container (4) being closed automatically when the hooking device (12) is in any other position over the crane boom.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a top cover tape peeled from an electric-component tape which additionally includes a carrier tape having pockets which accommodate electric components, respectively, and whose respective upper openings are closed with the top cover tape, the apparatus including two rotatable members which are rotatable about respective axis lines parallel to each other and whose respective outer circumferential surfaces cooperate with each other to pinch the top cover tape, a rotary drive device which rotates one of the two rotatable members, one of the two rotatable members having a scraper groove which is formed in the entire outer circumferential surface thereof, in an intermediate portion thereof in an axial direction thereof parallel to the two axis lines, and a scraper which is provided on an outlet side of the two rotatable members in a tape-feed direction, such that a portion of the scraper is fitted in a portion of the scraper groove that corresponds to a position where the respective outer

Abstract: An electronic component feeder capable of stably feeding electronic components in a process for transferring a tape accommodating the electronic components, peeling off a top tape and extracting the electronic components. The feeder includes a peel portion for peeling off a top tape and for contacting a tape transfer surface through a carrier tape, a window portion for extracting the electronic components, a tape press body slidably supported in a pressing direction of the carrier tape on the tape transfer surface, and an urging member for urging the tape press body against the tape transfer surface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for retaining a pod door on a port door at a load port, and for removing contaminants, particulates and/or gasses from between the pod and port door surfaces and from within the interior of the pod door. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum source may be provided within, adjacent to, or remote from a process tool, which vacuum source is connected to a vacuum port in the front surface of a port door. The vacuum is provided to produce a negative pressure between juxtaposed surfaces of the port and pod doors. The negative pressure accomplishes two functions. First, the negative pressure serves to hold the pod door firmly against the port door to prevent vibration, tilting and/or movement of the pod door with respect to the port door while the pod and port doors are stowed within the process tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packages for stacked can lids, a method of producing such packages, devices for implementing said method, devices for automated unpacking of the above nature and a system for packing and unpacking can lids. The packages are formed with an open end, which is closed in that the bag end, when in unfolded condition, is compressed and is provided with fastening means retaining said closed condition. In addition, the closing device closes the open package end by compressing the bag end in the unfolding condition and in that fastening means are applied retaining said closed condition, and the unpacking device causes relative movement of the packages and the can lids contained therein in such a manner that the can lids are pressed against the package end closed by means of said fastening means.

Abstract: A processing unit for a substrate comprises a partition 6 provided between an atmospheric area S1 and an inert gas area S2. The partition 6 has an opening 22 to communicate the atmospheric area S1 and the inert gas area S2. A door 23 is provided at the opening 22 to open and close it. Carrier holding device 11 is provided for holding a carrier 2 of the substrate in such a manner that the carrier 2 comes in contact with the opening 22 on the side of the atmospheric area. Inert gas replacing device 56 is provided for replacing a gas in the carrier 2 with an inert gas by introducing the inert gas into the carrier 2 when the door 23 closes the opening 22 and the carrier 2 comes in contact with the opening 22 on the side of the atmospheric area by the carrier holding device 11. This processing unit can perform the process of the substrate without increasing the concentration of the oxygen in the inert gas area S2 by preventing leakage of the air from the atmospheric area S1 into the inert gas area S2.

Abstract: An electric-component feeder for feeding a carrier tape carrying electric components at a predetermined component-carry pitch, at a tape-feed pitch equal to a quotient obtained by dividing the component-carry pitch by an integral number, and thereby supplying the electric components, one by one, the feeder including a main frame including a tape guide which guides the carrier tape in a lengthwise direction thereof; a cam which has a cam surface and which is provided on the main frame such that the cam surface is movable relative to the main frame; a cam drive device which is supported by the main frame and which drives the cam and thereby moves the cam surface relative to the main frame; a cam follower which is supported by the main frame and which follows the cam surface while being moved by the cam surface being moved by the cam drive device; and a motion converting device which is supported by the main frame and which converts the motion of the cam follower into the feeding of the carrier tape at the tape-

Abstract: A tape feeder 200 includes a sprocket 201 having a plurality of teeth 202 for engaging holes of a tape. A pawl 205 engages selected teeth of sprocket 201. A first lever 203 is coupled to pawl 205 and a second lever 204 is coupled to first lever 203 and a source 208 of a driving force. First lever 203 and second lever 204 operate by a toggle action to selectively engage pawl 205 with ones of teeth 202 and thereby index sprocket 201.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a plurality of stages of mounting bases on each of which is disposed upwardly orientated, narrow tapered pins around the periphery of a semiconductor wafer, and a plurality of stages of turntables, one for each of the mounting bases, with the mounting bases being capable of moving independently of the turntables. When a wafer is transferred from a transporter arm to the tapered pins, the peripheral edge of the wafer comes into contact with the inner peripheral surfaces of the tapered pins and the wafer is centered thereby. The turntable then picks up the wafer and aligns the orientation thereof. This makes it possible to position the centers of a plurality of wafers and position the orientations thereof in a simple manner.

Abstract: A system for transferring components between packing media, such as tube packing media and tape packing media, is provided. The system includes a first packing media handling system, such as a tube handling system. The system also includes a second packing media handling system, such as a tape packing media system. A component handling system can transfer components from the tubes to the taping system, or from the taping system to the tubes.

Abstract: A substrate handling system is provided with a robot having the dual function of a removing and replacing substrate-containing pod doors and load lock chamber doors, and of transporting the substrates between the pods and various processing stations. The robot is equipped with an end effector having sockets into which interchangeable tools for implementing the various functions are removably mounted. The tools are retrieved from respective parking locations disposed within the system micro environment, and automatic interchangeability of the tools is facilitated by a novel socket mechanism which engages and disengages the tools to the robot arm without introducing contaminants into the micro environment.

Abstract: A universal interface and transfer apparatus is disclosed which may be configured either as an indexer or a load port opener. In each configuration, the universal interface and transfer apparatus includes a port plate having a central opening, and a port door fitting within and sealing the central opening when no pod is present on the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a base and a frame mounted on and extending up from a front of the base. A modular drive assembly is mounted within an exterior side of the frame, which drive assembly includes a linear drive screw, and a motor and torque transmission mechanism for rotating the linear drive screw. A carriage is mounted on the linear drive screw such that rotation of the linear drive screw results in vertical translation of the carriage.

Abstract: The contents of successive containers for comminuted tobacco leaves are transferred onto or into a receiver (such as a belt conveyor) at a transfer station where an indexible upright manipulator carries a lifter and an evacuating device including a tilting unit. Successive containers, delivered to the transfer station by a roller conveyor or the like, are lifted by the lifter off the conveyor and the manipulator is thereupon indexed to deliver the lifted container to a location above the receiver. The tilting unit is thereupon caused to tilt the container to thus transfer, by gravity flow, the contents of the container onto an openable intercepting device at a level between the tilter and the receiver. The intercepting device is thereupon opened to permit the intercepted material to descend onto or into the receiver. The manipulator is thereupon indexed to move the emptied container to a position above a further conveyor serving to transport empty containers away from the transfer station.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: A chip peeling apparatus has a plurality of protrusions which include first protrusions and second protrusions lower than the first protrusions. A vacuum pump communicates through holes with grooves defined between adjacent ones of the protrusions. A UV sheet is attached to chips, and the chips are supported in the vicinity of their corners by the tops of the first protrusions. When the vacuum pump is actuated, the chips and streets disposed between the chips are lowered, and the chips are curved and supported in abutment against the tops of the second protrusions. Each of the chips is gradually peeled off the UV sheet under a force tending to recover the original shape of the curved sheet. The chip peeling apparatus is effective in preventing the chips from being damaged and positionally deviated when the chips are attracted and carried.

Abstract: An automated door assembly is provided for sealing an opening in a barrier to a contaminant-free environment suitable for semiconductor wafer processing. The door assembly comprises a base pivotable toward and away from the opening along an arcuate path and a closure plate linearly movably coupled to the base and configured to a seal the opening in the barrier. The closure plate is movable in synchronization with the pivoting of the base to traverse a horizontal linear path into contact with the barrier to close the opening. A vacuum system is provided in conjunction with the door assembly to extract particles from the sealed environment. A sensor disposed on the closure plate is operable to sense the position of wafers or other objects disposed adjacent the opening, to detect misalignment or omission thereof.

Abstract: A system for vacuum-processing objects such as electronic integrated circuit wafers comprises (a) a carrier for transporting the wafers under vacuum in a cassette, the cassette being supported on a movable wall that serves as a bottom cover member of the carrier; and (b) a processing machine having a transfer chamber that is also maintained under vacuum, the transfer chamber having a movable wall in the form of an elevatable stage that sealingly closes the transfer chamber in its outermost position. There is a small sealingly closed interface chamber extending between the movable walls when the cassette is mounted onto the machine. A vacuum pump evacuates the interface chamber in preparation for lowering of the cassette into the transfer chamber by an elevator mechanism.

Abstract: A tape feeder 200 includes a sprocket 201 having a plurality of teeth 202 for engaging holes of a tape. A pawl 205 engages selected teeth of sprocket 201. A first lever 203 is coupled to pawl 205 and a second lever 204 is coupled to first lever 203 and a source 208 of a driving force. First lever 203 and second lever 204 operate by a toggle action to selectively engage pawl 205 with ones of teeth 202 and thereby index sprocket 201.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to feed components stably and speedily in a component feed apparatus whereby components stored in the form of a taped component, while being transferred along a component feed guide, are sequentially supplied to a predetermined position to be mounted to a printed board. In order to accomplish the object, a magnet is set in the vicinity of a slit of a component feed guide at which a covering tape is separated from the taped component. The magnet magnetically attracts the component, to thereby prevent the component from being forcibly dragged together with the covering tape when the covering tape is separated. Quick and stable supply of the component can be accordingly ensured.

Abstract: A refuse bag opener that includes a material metering cylinder and a knife cylinder mounted therein and driven by a suitable power mechanism to rotate in opposite directions to feed bagged refuse therebetween. The metering cylinder and the knife cylinder are disposed in vertical spaced relation with the knife cylinder being the lowermost of the two. The hopper receives the bagged material and by way of a sloping lower wall directs the bagged material towards the knife cylinder. The lower sloped wall has a belt conveyor for direct feeding of the bagged material to the lower cylinder which by virtue of its rotation cuts the bag. The bagged refuse passes between the metering cylinder and the knife cylinder at a relatively even rate. A conveyor feeds the material from a supply source to the hopper and an outfeed conveyor delivers the emptied bags and contents of the bags to a suitable sorting location.

Abstract: In a loading and unloading station for semiconductor processing installations, the object of the present invention is to ensure charging proceeding from transporting containers under clean room conditions. These transporting containers themselves serve as magazines for disk-shaped objects and are open laterally. It should also be possible, optionally, to load and unload a greater quantity of such transporting containers, wherein the exchange of transporting containers must be effected under favorable ergonomic conditions. According to the invention, the transporting container for loading, unloading and reloading of disk-shaped objects is coupled in a stationary manner by the container cover with the closure by using of an adhering engagement. The charging opening and the transporting container are opened simultaneously in that the container cover and the closure are moved down jointly into the semiconductor processing installation.

Abstract: A cassette comprises a movable member supported on a box member for movement in a direction normal to an swing axis, around which a cover member swings, and an engaging claw combined with the movable member. The movable member is urged to one side of the direction along which the movable member moves. A stopper secured to the box member receives the urged movable member and holds it at a locking position. An engaged claw, which is mounted on the cover member, is engaged with the engaging claw of the movable member located at the locking position and locks the cover member when it is closed. The engaged claw is disengaged from the engaging claw when the movable member moves a predetermined distance oppositely to the direction of the urging of the movable member. A cover opening mechanism is constituted of a pushing member mounted on the movable member and a pushed member mounted on the cover member.

Abstract: A device withdraws and opens cases for CD and the like, including a pair of shells of complementary shape, hinged along a hinge axis along one edge of the shells. A swinging arm equipped with suction cups withdraws single cases from a storage device and transfers the cases in a vertical feeding plane over a conveying line leading to a packaging section. Further suction cups, carried by a take over member, grip the case just withdrawn acting on the shells and open the case by rotation of the shells about the hinge axis. Then the take over member is moved in horizontal direction towards the conveying line to transfer the case from the opening position to a position in which the opened case is released on the conveying line for further processing.

Abstract: Two FOUPs are stacked and moved together towards an equipment wall by a horizontal actuator. FOUP doors are withdrawn as a unit by a horizontal actuator, and lowered as a unit by a vertical actuator to provide access to the interior of the FOUPs.

Abstract: An automatic plug pulling machine for integrated circuit (IC) tubes is disclosed. Conventionally on a semiconductor manufacturing line, IC tubes are used to transport IC packages such as DIPs, SOPs and SOJs from one processing station to another. Commonly, IC packages inside the tubes are removed by pulling out the plug manually. This can be very time consuming resulting in reduced throughput. With the automatic pulling machine disclosed in the present invention, the tubes are loaded on to a pair of robotic arms with slots and grooves to receive a tube. The arm transports the tube to a platform where the tube is clamped down and positioned relative to two plug pullers. The top plug puller with a finger-like notch, which when lowered to one end of the tube, snugly fits over the head of the plug, and the lower plug puller also fits the bottom profile of the head of the plug. Then the plug pullers are moved horizontally, that is, sideways to move the plug out from the tube automatically.

Abstract: An electronic component feeder is provided for feeding electronic components in their stable position into an electronic component mounting apparatus and allowing the taking up of a top tape with high stability thus increasing the speed of component mounting action. As the top tape (4) is being taken up on a reel (42), a shutter (34) moves backward together with a slit (51) provided integral on the shutter (34). The turning in the tape take-up direction of the reel (42) is driven by the restoring force of a return spring (39). When the reel (42) has completed its take-up motion, the electronic component (1) can be picked up at a component pick-up location with the shutter (34) staying backward. A stationary roller (31) is provided between the slit (51) and the reel (42) and a movable roller (32) is provided for keeping the length of the top tape (4) between the slit (51) and the stationary roller (31) substantially constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically sorting and feeding flat articles. The method stacks flat articles into cartridges in output compartments of a sorting machine, robotically transfers filled cartridges from the output compartments of a sorting machine to a buffer shelf; and from the buffer shelf to a docking station of a cartridge unloader and automatic feeder to the input of the sorting machine, and for transferring empty cartridges from the docking station to either the buffer or the output compartments of the sorter.

Abstract: The pod loader interface is a machine that is able to automatically open a SMIF pod and unload the contents thereof. An elevator raises the SMIF cover away from its base to reveal the wafer boat contained in the SMIF pod. An articulated arm thereafter reaches through an opening in a bulkhead of the machine, securing the wafer cassette and withdrawing it through the hole in the bulkhead. The wafer cassette is then placed in position to be operated upon by the next step in the manufacturing process. The machine includes an integrated clean air system to provide a clean environment for the wafers.

Abstract: A transfer device for wafers stacked in magazines has a vertically displaceable frame of a platform, with which the cover of the box surrounding the magazine in the closed condition. The magazine remains in the original position on the base of the box and is then supplied by a gripping device from this position to a processing system in which the wafers are removed from the magazine and are processed. A gripping device preferably has two extension arms arranged on both sides of the magazine as well as one stop element which can be caused to impact on the wafer edges. The stop element preferably has two lips consisting of an elastic material which lips can be caused to impact on the wafer edges. The device permits a very fast loading and unloading into or out of the processing system.

Abstract: In a device for lifting, pivoting and rotating the cover (5) of a vacuum container (14) of a crystal drawing apparatus, the device being equipped with a bolt (26) held by a stationary part (15) of the apparatus and extending vertically upward, a sleeve (24) being provided with projections (34,34'), which are permanently attached to it and which extend horizontally from it, the device also being provided with a pair of bolts (34,34'), and with a sleeve component (28), which is pivoted on the bolts (36,36'), whereby parallel to the sleeve component (28) a screw bolt (37) is sustained in the housing (35). A hand lever (21) is fixed on the screw bolt (37), which is connected with a screw nut (38), which supports itself on the rotary sleeve (24), where the sleeve component (28) surrounds a journal (27), which is permanently connected to the device part or to the cover (5).

Abstract: An improved unloader for rigid or flexible bulk material containers having a side-mounted discharge. In addition to a forward tilting feature, the improved method and apparatus may have any combination of the following: an hydraulic rear tilt feature, hydraulic dump feature, hydraulic bag massage system, inflation system for the container discharge, screw feeder operation and safety controls, pivoting discharge connection flange, or massage arm system.

Abstract: A method for unloading refuse contained in a container having a bottom discharge door into an interior of a storage body of a refuse collection vehicle having an access opening includes the steps of raising the container above the access opening of the storage body, lowering the container through the access opening to position the bottom discharge door within the interior of the storage body and opening the discharge door to unload refuse from the container into the interior of the storage body. A refuse collection vehicle includes a storage body, an intermediate container and a lift. The storage body has a plurality of walls defining an interior and an access opening. The intermediate container is movably supported adjacent to the storage body and includes a top opening, a bottom, a plurality of walls therebetween defining an interior and a discharge opening adjacent the bottom and at least one door adjacent the bottom for selectively opening and closing the discharge opening.

Abstract: A method for delivering liquids is disclosed wherein a quantity of the liquid is provided within a cell within a cassette. The cassette is received within a sleeve having an open end. A flap at the open end of the sleeve extends inwardly through the open end between the sleeve and cassette to abut a lip on the cassette and hold the cassette therein. Impingement of the flap pushes the flap away from the lip to allow the cassette to move out of the sleeve. A label mounted within the sleeve rotates between a viewable position where it is visible through a window in the sleeve and a retracted position away from the window. Extraction and reinsertion of the cassette into the sleeve moves the label from the viewable to the non-viewable position.

Abstract: In a coke drum an outlet arrangement is provided which allows removal of the coke from the drum without endangering the health or safety of workers heading or unheading the coke drum. Instead of using a manually removable bottom flange for the drum, a semiautomatic bottom flange removal system is provided. A spool is attached to the conventional, pre-existing, about 6 feet in diameter drum stationary bottom flange. The spool includes a tapered clamping surface. A new style removable bottom flange also includes a tapered clamping surface. The tapered clamping surfaces cooperate with clamp ring sectors movable by externally mounted hydraulic cylinders into contact with the spool and the flange, and other hydraulic cylinders mounted directly on the ring sectors move male locking surfaces into locking engagement with cooperating female locking surfaces formed on adjacent clamp ring sectors.

Abstract: A cassette (20) for a currency handling system includes a door (28) that can be opened to expose the entire front surface of the cassette. An end door (30) is operable to be opened to allow currency that is disposed within the interior of the cassette (20) to be urged outward. The cassette (20) has a locking mechanism disposed in an end (72), which locking mechanism prevents the door from opening until the cassette (20) is disposed in a docking station. Once in the docking station, a paddle (56) is urged downward into the cassette (20) to urge the notes outward therefrom. These notes are moved into a buffer region (58) and then the cassette (20) can be removed to allow another cassette (20) to be disposed therein. This allows a continuous feeding operation. The cassette (20) can then be disposed in a second collection docking station to collect the output of the sorter (41). In this docking station, a paddle (68) is reciprocated downward into the cassette (20) with the collected notes.

Abstract: A method for stocking a plurality of containers in a stocking device and feeding one container at a time to a robot includes the steps of separately supporting each container in a vertically moveable frame and moving the frame to align a selected container at a drawing position. The selected container is withdrawn from the frame and a lid of a pallet on the withdrawn frame is removed. The articles are then supplied to the robot.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus comprises a treatment chamber for performing a treatment for a workpiece W, a loading chamber connected to the treatment chamber, for loading and unloading a holding member which contains the workpiece into and from the treatment chamber, and an input/output chamber for inputting and outputting the workpiece to and from the loading chamber. The input/output chamber includes a cassette accommodating vessel port which holds a cassette accommodating vessel. The vessel is filled with clean air or an inert gas, and is airtightly closed. A cassette receiving mechanism is disposed below the port and lowers only the cassette of the vessel so as to receive the cassette. Thus, when the cassette is input and output to and from the outside of the treatment apparatus, the workpiece contained within the cassette is not exposed to the atmosphere in a working region. Consequently, it is not necessary to improve the cleanliness level of the atmosphere in the working region.

Abstract: In a loading and unloading station for semiconductor processing installations, the object of the present invention is to ensure charging proceeding from transporting containers under clean room conditions. These transporting containers themselves serve as magazines for disk-shaped objects and are open laterally. It should also be possible, optionally, to load and unload a greater quantity of such transporting containers, wherein the exchange of transporting containers must be effected under favorable ergonomic conditions. According to the invention, the transporting container for loading, unloading and reloading of disk-shaped objects is coupled in a stationary manner by the container cover with the closure by using an adhering engagement. The charging opening and the transporting container are opened simultaneously in that the container cover and the closure are moved down jointly into the semiconductor processing installation.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

Abstract: An electronic-component supplying cartridge is provided which includes a movable and an immovable jumping-out-preventing member and is free from jumping of electronic components out of electronic-component accommodating pockets, changing of posture of the components, or standing-up of the components due to suction. A shutter 210 is attached to a cover 82 fixed to a cartridge frame, such that the shutter 210 is movable relative to the cover 82 in the tape feeding direction. The shutter 210 includes a connection portion 214 having a groove 222 opening at a downstream-side end thereof as seen in the feeding direction, and a pair of movable jumping-out-preventing strips 228. When the shutter 210 is moved to a second position thereof, the strips 228 are received in receiving recesses 200, respectively. When a component carrier tape is fed, the shutter 210 is moved to a first position thereof where the strips 228 cover a component accommodating pocket fed to an electronic-component picking-up position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for emptying a load of multilayer container columns is disclosed. A carriage is aligned in an unloading position relative to a container. The carriage includes a mechanism for opening a gate of the container, a mechanism for extending a container floor out of the container, and a mechanism for urging contents of the container carried by the floor off the floor and onto an unloading receptor when the floor is extended from the container.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The box-processing units, which are serially arranged and operate in parallel, include a seal-removal tool, a lid-opener tool, a box-inverter that dumps the box contents into a coin sorter/counter system, a lid-reset tool and a seal-insert tool.

Abstract: An electronic-component supplying cartridge is provided which includes a movable and an immovable jumping-out-preventing member and is free from jumping of electronic components out of electronic-component accommodating pockets, changing of posture of the components, or standing-up of the components due to suction. A shutter 210 is attached to a cover 82 fixed to a cartridge frame, such that the shutter 210 is movable relative to the cover 82 in the tape feeding direction. The shutter 210 includes a connection portion 214 having a groove 222 opening at a downstream-side end thereof as seen in the feeding direction, and a pair of movable jumping-out-preventing strips 228. When the shutter 210 is moved to a second position thereof, the strips 228 are received in receiving recesses 200, respectively. When a component carrier tape is fed, the shutter 210 is moved to a first position thereof where the strips 228 cover a component accommodating pocket fed to an electronic-component picking-up position.

Abstract: A SMIF system for transferring semiconductor wafers between two controlled environments, one being within a wafer cassette carrier and the other being within an enclosure around a wafer processing apparatus. In a carrier loading position, a carrier door rests on a port door which forms part of a platform for vertically fixing and horizontally moving the cassette within the enclosure. A carrier cover, when unlocked from the carrier door, is engageable by a port plate for vertical movement therewith as an elevator mechanism moves the port plate between down and up positions. In the down position, the port door closes an enclosure opening defined by the port plate. In the up position, the port plate raises the carrier cover to allow access to the wafers in the cassette by an article processing apparatus. External and internal panels carried by the port plate cause the controlled environment of the enclosure to be extended to include a compartment containing the uncovered cassette.