Disk separator device

Abstract

A disk separator device for stacking semiconductor wafers includes a first portion having a disk support surface for accepting one side of a disk and a second portion including a guiding surface obliquely oriented to the disk support surface. The guiding surface has a first edge adjacent a curvilinear perimeter of the wafer support surface and a second edge spaced outwardly from the first edge. The separator device is nestingly received adjacent other separators to maintain a desired alignment of a stack of disks and separators.

1 . A disk separator device, comprising:
 a first portion including a disk support surface that is configured to contact one side of a disk, the disk support surface having an at least partially curvilinear perimeter; and   a second portion including a guiding surface obliquely oriented to the disk support surface, the guiding surface having a first edge adjacent the curvilinear perimeter of the disk support surface and a second edge spaced outwardly from the first edge.   
     
     
         2 . The separator device of  claim 1 , including a reinforcing member located radially inward from the first portion to resist deformation of the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The separator device of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing member is parallel to the disk support surface. 
     
     
         4 . The separator device of  claim 1 , a retainer surface adjacent the wafer support surface that is at least partially substantially perpendicular to the disk support surface. 
     
     
         5 . The separator device of  claim 1 , including a protrusion extending from the first portion. 
     
     
         6 . The separator device of  claim 5 , wherein the protrusion extends from a surface on the first portion opposite the disk supporting surface. 
     
     
         7 . The separator device of  claim 6 , wherein a lower portion of the protrusion is substantially parallel to the disk supporting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The separator device of  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion forms a continuous rim around the first portion. 
     
     
         9 . The separator device of  claim 1 , wherein the separating device is made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         10 . The separator device of  claim 9 , wherein the polypropylene includes properties to control electrostatic discharge. 
     
     
         11 . A separator assembly comprising:
 a first disk and a second disk each including an edge portion;   a first separator device and a second separator device each including a first portion having a disk supporting surface and a second portion having a guiding surface obliquely oriented to the disk supporting surface spaced radially outward from the first portion, the first disk being received between the first and second separator devices and the second disk being received on, the second portions being nestingly received against each other to maintain a desired alignment of the disks and the separator devices.   
     
     
         12 . The separator assembly as recited in  claim 11 , comprising a retaining surface adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the disk supporting surface. 
     
     
         13 . The separator assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein a protrusion extends from a surface on the first portion generally opposite the disk supporting surface, the protrusion on the second separator device contacting the first disk supported on the first separator device.