US4687097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wafer processing cassette
Assignee: Marquette Bank Minneapolis NA
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Filing: 1984-12-11
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Granted: 1987-08-18
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Expires: 2004-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Wafer cassette for processing of silicon wafers which includes a plurality of open supported reinforced wafer dividers for supporting a plurality of wafers in alignment in opposing dividers of the cassette and for automated robotic processing of the wafers while in the cassette. The wafer cassette utilizes an H-bar end with a configured rod reinforced open H-front which is fully functional and strategically located. The dividers are supported by one or two pairs of longitudinal horizontal supports secured to the ends providing for an open area between each of the dividers for passage of liquids during automated processing, and vertical support bars are provided for strengthening of positioning members of the cassette. The rear end includes a downward arch. The processing wafer cassette provides for "on-center" processing where the carrier center of gravity is on-center of the axis of centrifugal wafer processing machinery. Each of the dividers in cross section are geometrically configured for passage of chemicals during processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L. Mortensen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:14
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/10; H10P72/15; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/832; Y10S206/833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
Wafer cassette comprising: a. plurality of opposing wafer dividers, each of said dividers including an interiorly facing rounded tooth edge, vertical surfaces at opposite sides of said interiorly facing rounded tooth edge, a rounded exteriorly facing tooth edge with exteriorly facing substantially flat surfaces between said vertical surface and said exteriorly facing rounded tooth edge and including a portion rounded along a perimeter of a wafer for encompassing and conforming to circumference of the wafer; b. upper and lower opposing longitudinal horizontal supports supporting said wafer dividers, said lower horizontal supports having a length less than that of said upper horizontal supports; c. plurality of opposing upper and lower edge members and opposing rounded vertical side members for supporting said wafer dividers; d. rear-end member including a substantially downward arch providing an open top portion and secured to said side members; and, e. open H-bar end front member, said H-bar end including opposing vertical reinforcing edge members, a horizontal H-bar member running therebetween, said horizontal H-bar member including a reinforcing partial section cylindrical rod, and an upper ramped portion and a lower rectangular portion about said H-bar whereby said open area of said H-bar end, said rear end, and upper and lower horizontal supports attach to each said wafer dividers provides for structural integrity and nonrestricted open surface automated processing of wafers, thereby providing a structurally integral wafer cassette for integrated circuit automated processing of said wafers in a wafer cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
Wafer cassette comprising: a. plurality of opposing wafer dividers, each of said dividers including an interiorly facing rounded tooth edge, vertical surfaces at opposite sides of said interiorly facing rounded tooth edge, a rounded exteriorly facing tooth edge with exteriorly facing substantially flat surfaces between said vertical surface and said exteriorly facing rounded tooth edge and including a portion rounded along a perimeter of a wafer for encompassing and conforming to circumference of the wafer; b. upper and lower opposing longitudinal horizontal supports supporting said wafer dividers, said lower horizontal supports having a length less than that of said upper horizontal supports; c. plurality of opposing upper and lower edge members and opposing rounded vertical side members for supporting said wafer dividers; d. rear-end member including a substantially downward arch providing an open top portion and secured to said side members; and, e. open H-bar end front member, said H-bar end including opposing vertical reinforcing edge members, a horizontal H-bar member running therebetween, said horizontal H-bar member including a reinforcing partial section cylindrical rod, and an upper ramped portion and a lower rectangular portion about said H-bar whereby said open area of said H-bar end, said rear end, and upper and lower horizontal supports attach to each said wafer dividers provides for structural integrity and nonrestricted open surface automated processing of wafers, thereby providing a structurally integral wafer cassette for integrated circuit automated processing of said wafers in a wafer cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Wafer cassette of claim 1 including opposing ramped vertical support bars at each end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-17 | 1991-02-16 | 1991-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-17 | 1995-02-16 | 1995-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-17 | 1999-02-16 | 1999-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |