Conveyors: power-driven – With means to facilitate working – treating – or inspecting... – Means engaging conveyor or load on a conveyor to align load...
Patent
1997-01-14
1999-08-17
Krizek, Janice L.
Conveyors: power-driven
With means to facilitate working, treating, or inspecting...
Means engaging conveyor or load on a conveyor to align load...
294 65, 279 3, 269 21, 269303, 269305, 269315, 414752, 414941, B25B 1100
Patent
active
059379936
ABSTRACT:
The present invention involves both an apparatus and a method for handling and holding panels and other substrates for photolithographic exposures. In one of its aspects, the present invention comprises bi-modal vacuum cup-bellows devices which automatically retract behind (below) the surface of a chuck, and to remain so retracted at all times except when it is desired to draw a panel toward the chuck. The retraction eliminates interference with movements of the panel during snubbing. In another of its aspects, the present invention comprises registration (locator) pin mechanisms that incorporate bearings. The bearings both turn and move axially, and operate to prevent the panel edges from hanging thereon. In another of its aspects, the present invention comprises a hand-off vacuum cup-bellows device that clamps onto each panel as it comes from a robotic loader. Such device incorporates a lubricious cover that prevents rolling of the cup edges and that facilitates sliding of each panel during snubbing. The devices are such as not to prevent vacuum gripping of the rear surface of the panel. In another of its aspects, the present invention comprises a snubber cylinder and bar that applies light pressure along a substantial length of the thin edge of each panel, and that is constructed to reduce the chances that a panel edge will hang up on the bar.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2843389 (1958-07-01), Sloan et al.
patent: 3934916 (1976-01-01), Baker
patent: 4684113 (1987-08-01), Douglas et al.
patent: 4784377 (1988-11-01), Woodward
patent: 5065495 (1991-11-01), Narushima et al.
patent: 5352249 (1994-10-01), Vollaro
patent: 5471279 (1995-11-01), Takizawa
patent: 5530516 (1996-06-01), Sheets
patent: 5685589 (1997-11-01), Kikuchi et al.
Heitel Robert Glenn
Sheets Ronald E.
Hess Douglas
Krizek Janice L.
Tamarac Scientific Co., Inc.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for automatically handling and holding pane does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for automatically handling and holding pane, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for automatically handling and holding pane will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-305832