Particulate free vacuum compatible pinch seal
First Claim
1. A semiconductor processing device comprising:
- a transport device which transports a substrate within a work environment, the transport device including a transport mechanism and a substrate supporting member attached to the transport mechanism;
a barrier separating the work environment from the transport mechanism of the transport device, the barrier having an elongated opening through which the substrate supporting member extends;
a flexible seal sealing the elongated opening in the barrier while allowing the substrate supporting member to move along the elongated opening, the flexible seal being effective to minimize particles from passing through the opening into the work environment; and
an opening device which opens the flexible seal, the opening device preventing contact between the flexible seal and the substrate supporting member while the substrate supporting member moves along the opening.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pinch seal in which particle generation by frictional contact is prevented so that the pinch seal can be used in a semiconductor processing apparatus where elimination of particulate contamination is desirable. The pinch seal is particularly adapted for use in connection with a semiconductor wafer transport device, such as a linear transport device. The pinch seal is formed in a barrier provided between a transport device and a semiconductor processing work environment. One or more support members for transporting a wafer extend through the pinch seal. In one embodiment, the pinch seal includes a flexible sealing member with a magnetic strip extending along the length of the flexible sealing member. A mechanism which does not physically contact the flexible sealing member, such as a device generating a magnetic field, is used to selectively open and close the flexible sealing member to prevent contact between the flexible sealing member and the support member passing through the flexible sealing member while retaining the isolating function of the shielding member.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A semiconductor processing device comprising:
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a transport device which transports a substrate within a work environment, the transport device including a transport mechanism and a substrate supporting member attached to the transport mechanism; a barrier separating the work environment from the transport mechanism of the transport device, the barrier having an elongated opening through which the substrate supporting member extends; a flexible seal sealing the elongated opening in the barrier while allowing the substrate supporting member to move along the elongated opening, the flexible seal being effective to minimize particles from passing through the opening into the work environment; and an opening device which opens the flexible seal, the opening device preventing contact between the flexible seal and the substrate supporting member while the substrate supporting member moves along the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A sealing device comprising:
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a flexible sealing member positioned in an elongated opening in a barrier wall for preventing particles from passing through the elongated opening; a support member extending through the elongated opening and mounted for movement along a length of the elongated opening; and an opening device attached to the support member for opening the flexible sealing member, the opening device preventing contact between the flexible seal and the support member as the support member moves along the length of the opening while providing an effective particle barrier. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of shielding a substrate from non-localized particle sources comprising:
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providing a substrate in a working environment separated from an actuating mechanism by a shielding member, the actuating mechanism moving a member supporting the substrate while the member extends through an elongated flexible seal sealing an elongated opening in the shielding member; forming an open area around the member by selectively opening and closing portions of the elongated flexible seal while moving the member along the opening through the open area in the flexible seal; and reducing particle generation by preventing contact between the flexible seal and the member moving through the open area in the flexible seal while retaining the isolating function of the shielding member. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification