Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing apparatus comprising a washing chamber, an opening/closing mechanism, and a nozzle. The chamber has an opening and is designed for washing the objects transported from outside through the opening. The opening/closing mechanism is designed to open and close the opening of the washing chamber. The nozzle is used to wash the opening/closing mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a washing vessel filled with a washing liquid, for washing the objects, and also a nozzle for applying a washing liquid to the objects located in the washing vessel when the objects are partly exposed as the washing liquid is discharged from the washing vessel.

Abstract: A washing method for washing objects includes the steps of supplying a washing liquid to a washing vessel and immersing objects in the washing liquid contained in the washing vessel. The method also includes the steps of discharging the liquid at least once from the washing vessel, and starting to apply the washing liquid to the objects when the objects are partly exposed to air as the liquid is discharged from the washing vessel. The washing liquid application is continued during exposure of the objects to the air to prevent the surface of the objects from being dried and stained.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing apparatus comprising a washing chamber, an opening/closing mechanism, and a nozzle. The chamber has an opening and is designed for washing the objects transported from outside through the opening. The opening/closing mechanism is designed to open and close the opening of the washing chamber. The nozzle is used to wash the opening/closing mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a washing vessel filled with a washing liquid, for washing the objects, and also a nozzle for applying a washing liquid to the objects located in the washing vessel when the objects are partly exposed as the washing liquid is discharged from the washing vessel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing apparatus comprising a washing chamber, an opening/closing mechanism, and a nozzle. The chamber has an opening and is designed for washing the objects transported from outside through the opening. The opening/closing mechanism is designed to open and close the opening of the washing chamber. The nozzle is used to wash the opening/closing mechanism. The apparatus further comprises a washing vessel filled with a washing liquid, for washing the objects, and also a nozzle for applying a washing liquid to the objects located in the washing vessel when the objects are partly exposed as the washing liquid is discharged from the washing vessel.

Abstract: A spindrier according to the present invention includes a box body enclosing a plurality of wafers, a rotor for holding the wafers in the box body and rotated by a motor, and upper and lower clamp bars for holding the wafers face to face with their faces directed perpendicular to rotating shafts of the rotor. The lower clamp bars are connected and fixed to the rotating shafts so as to hold lower rim portions of the wafers thereon when the wafers are set in the rotor. The upper clamp bars are connected to one of the rotating shafts at their base ends so that they can be swung vertically erect and also and horizontally relative to the rotating shaft and they are locked to the other rotating shaft at their front ends when they are swung horizontally. They include a mechanism for swinging them, a locking mechanism for locking their front ends to the other rotating shaft, and an unlocking mechanism for releasing their front ends from the other rotating shaft.

Abstract: A processing vessel suitable for use with a washing system intended to wash a plurality of wafers. The processing vessel includes a washing solution supply source, a circulation pump, a filter, a main vessel portion provided with inlets in the bottom thereof, a boat for holding the plurality of wafers in the center area of the main vessel portion and a flow control assembly arranged between the inlets and the wafers. The flow control assembly includes a scattering plate for scattering washing solution, which is introduced into the main vessel portion through the inlets, in the horizontal direction, and guiding passages through which the washing solution introduced through the inlets is made to have a substantially laminar flow and is guided into the center area of the main vessel portion. The guiding passages are formed by intervals between side plates and the scattering plate and by a plurality of apertures in the scattering plate.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning unit provided with cleaning tubs in which cleaning liquid is contained, and a carrying mechanism for carrying matters to be processed into and out of the cleaning unit. The carrying mechanism has holding members for holding the matters thereon. The cleaning apparatus further includes a chamber in which the carrying mechanism is housed, and a cleaning/drying system arranged in an upper portion of the chamber to clean and dry the matters-holding members of the carrying mechanism. The cleaning/drying system has cleaning and drying nozzles through which cleaning liquid and drying air are jetted against the matters-holding members of the carrying mechanism.

Abstract: A washing system comprising a wafer washing section having plural chemical washing vessels, plural water washing vessels and a drier, a cassette washing section having a water washing device and a drier, a loader section for taking out the wafers from the cassettes and loading the wafers into the wafer washing section, an unloader section for returning the washed wafers in the washed cassette and unloading the wafers from the wafer washing section, a wafer transfer device the wafers in the wafer washing section, a cassette lifter for carrying the cassettes from the loader section to the cassette washing section, and a wire drive unit for carrying the cassettes in the cassette washing section.

Abstract: A cleaning device comprises at least one cleaning tub containing a cleaning liquid, a chamber housing the cleaning tub, a mechanism for taking an article to be cleaned in/out of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning tub, and a shutter for shutting the inside of the chamber from the outside thereof. The shutter opens when a cleaned material is conveyed in/out of the chamber, thereby passing the cleaned material there through. A clean air supplying unit for forming downflow of clean air around the cleaning tub is provided on the upper portion of the chamber. A exhausting unit for sucking the clean air passing around the cleaning tub and exhausting the air out of the chamber is provided on the lower portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning unit provided with cleaning tubs in which cleaning liquid is contained, and a carrying mechanism for carrying matters to be processed into and out of the cleaning unit. The carrying mechanism has holding members for holding the matters thereon. The cleaning apparatus further includes a chamber in which the carrying mechanism is housed, and a cleaning/drying system arranged in an upper portion of the chamber to clean and dry the matters-holding members of the carrying mechanism. The cleaning/drying system has cleaning and drying nozzles through which cleaning liquid and drying air are jetted against the matters-holding members of the carrying mechanism.

Abstract: A detector for detecting the presence, number and arrangement of semiconductor wafers arranged face to face comprising a light emitting unit having a light emitting element for shooting light beam to each of the wafer, a light receiving unit having a light receiving element for receiving the light beam which have passed through each of the wafers, and a controller for finding the state of each of the wafers while comparing data obtained from the light beams received with reference data stored to thereby determine how each of the wafers to be processed, wherein said light emitting and receiving elements are alternately positioned corresponding to spaces each defined between a pair of the wafers.

Abstract: A rotary transfer arm for transferring semiconductor wafers is disposed in a closed housing. A closable opening portion is formed in the housing, through which the transfer arm can extend out from the housing. A fork is disposed at the distal end of the transfer arm. A plurality of holding grooves are formed in the fork to set a plurality of wafers with predetermined intervals between them. A cleaner for the fork is disposed in the upper portion of the housing. The cleaner has cleaning and drying nozzles mounted at the distal end of a switch arm. The switch arm can pivot between an operation position and a standby position. The switch arm can also move the cleaning and drying nozzles along the fork. During cleaning and drying, pure water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzles against the fork, and a drying gas is sprayed from the drying nozzles against it.

Abstract: A driving device comprises a first cover, a second cover telescopically engaging with the first cover, and a third cover surrounding the first and second covers. Part of a driving member for moving the second cover in relation to the first cover is arranged in a first space defined in the first cover. The first space is supplied with nitrogen, and pressure in the space is kept at a positive value. Gas is fed into and exhausted from a second space defined between the first and second covers, in accordance with a change in the volume thereof, whereby pressure in the second space is kept at a substantially constant value. Gas contained in a third space defined between the third cover and the first and second covers is exhausted, and pressure in the third space is kept at a negative value. Thus, the first space is completely isolated from a space around the driving device.