US Patent 7661919 Discontinuous conveyor system

The present invention generally comprises a transport system for transporting containers throughout a fabrication facility, and more specifically through a tool bay in the fabrication facility. The present invention generally includes a first container transport system for transporting a container from an interbay conveyor towards the first tool bay, a second container transport system for moving a container away from the first tool bay and a tool loading device to move containers between the first and second container transport systems and a load port. A merged return conveyor for transporting a container between the second container transport system and the interbay conveyor may also be included.