Abstract: Disclosed is a compact apparatus for manufacturing semiconductor wafers, which is aimed at complete removing of moisture from the wafers after final cleaning while reducing the manufacturing time. The apparatus includes a cleaning chamber (1) for final cleaning, a storage chamber (3) for storing wafers, a transfer chamber (2) communicating with the both cleaning and storage chambers (1, 3), and formed in its upper wall with a heat-conducting window (7), a robot hand (5) and a robot arm (4) for transporting the wafer (W) from the cleaning chamber (1) to the storage chamber (3) within the transfer chamber, infrared lamps (6) arranged to face the window (7) outside the transfer chamber (2) so as to heat the wafer (W) in the course of transportation within the transfer chamber, gas supply ports (8) for producing a laminar flow of inert gas from the storage chamber (3) to the cleaning chamber (1) to expose wafers (W) with the gas, and exhaust ports (9) for exhausting the moisture removed from wafers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (19) for coupling a frictional damper with a middle longitudinal axis (21), which is coupled to an oscillatory washing unit with a drum axis, to a machine frame of a washing machine with a spin gear. The coupling device has a first bending axis, which runs vertically to the central longitudinal axis (21) and parallel to the drum axis, a second bending axis (33) which runs vertically to the central longitudinal axis (21) and to the first bending axis and intersects both at one point, a first connecting element for connecting the coupling device (19) to the frictional damper, a second connecting element for connecting the coupling device (19) to the machine frame and a spring element (24) that is located between the first connecting element and the second connecting element and is connected to both, the flexural strength of the coupling device (19) about the second bending axis (33) being greater than the flexural strength about the first bending axis.

Abstract: A washing device for washing an interior of a process device is provided. The washing device moveably connected to the process device by a fastening means, and a washing medium of the washing device is led at least partly inside the body of the washing device in order to spray the washing medium to a target via a plurality of nozzles disposed in the body. The washing device has cleaning means including additional nozzles for cleaning parts of the washing device. One or more parts of the washing device have inclined outer surfaces such that the parts are totally visible when viewed from the spraying directions of the additional nozzles.

Abstract: A washing machine including a tub having a helical flow path defined by a channel and a sump located at a lower end of the channel with a dam therein is described. In an exemplary embodiment, a water outlet is located in the sump, and the dam is positioned in the sump upstream from the outlet. The dam, in the exemplary embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to flow path and extends from a tub sidewall to at least beyond the outer perimeter of the water outlet. The dam has a sufficient height to prevent debris heavier than water from flowing from the channel to the outlet during a non-spin portion of a wash cycle, yet is low enough so that when the spin cycle is initiated, the debris will flow over the dam to the outlet.

Abstract: A decontamination device (10) includes a washing chamber (12) defined by a series of sidewalls. Upper and lower shelves (30, 32) are horizontally disposed within the washing chamber. The lower shelf is a rigid non-removable structure divided into three washing sections (42, 44, 46). The upper shelf is disposed vertically above the lower shelf and is slidably mounted within the washing chamber. The upper shelf comprises first, second, and third washing sections (82a, 82b, 82c) and a channel (78) operatively connected to the three shelf sections. The channel provides cleaning solutions to the shelf sections. Each of the washing sections and the shelf sections receive a spindle header (50) having a series of spindles (58) over which glassware is placed. A sealing connector, disposed on each washing section and shelf section, registers with and seals around a manifold of the spindle header and provides cleaning solutions from the channel to the spindle header.

Abstract: A portable wringer 11 for a chamois leather comprises a support structure 12, and a pair of rollers 13,14 driven by a crank handle 15. The support structure 12 carries a suction device 18.

Abstract: A washing appliance such as a dishwasher where a top-loading wash chamber is slidable out of cabinet for loading and unloading has a cabinet-mounted chamber lid which is power driven down onto the open top of the wash chamber during the washing cycle. Linear actuators or motors mounted in opposite sides of the appliance cabinet are coupled to opposite sides of the lid to pull the lid down when the chamber has been slid back into the cabinet. In a preferred embodiment rotating dc motors are used to rotate a threaded nut which in turn produces linear motion in a threaded shaft engaged within the nut and connected to the lid.

Abstract: A detergent collection tray is provided at a position spaced above a drain port in the sump area of an outer tub of a washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis washing machine. As detergent enters the washing machine during an initial fill operation, the detergent will be caused to flow into the tray and will be prevented from flowing directly into the drain. Therefore, the tray prevents the loss of detergent into the drain by functioning to capture or collect the detergent for use during the washing operation.

Abstract: A vehicle wash ramp is provided which is constructed from a lattice framework of support rails and cross members that are connected to form a base and a wash platform above the base. The base and wash platform are equipped with a pair of parallel running wheel tracks which roughly correspond in their width and relative position to accommodate the passage of vehicles to be washed. Additionally, access to the wash platform is facilitated by the use of fixed and folding platform ramps which angle up to the upper surface of the wash platform. The washing operation is accomplished by the use of an engine and pump combination that draws water from one or both of two storage tanks located on either side of the wash ramp base outside of each of the wheel tracks. The pump assembly pressurizes the water and sends it to the spray wand which allows the operator not only to control the flow of water or cleaning solution, but also allows the operator to direct this flow to specific areas and components of the vehicle.

Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning the mirror element of an outside rear view mirror is disclosed. The arrangement includes a washing nozzle, which is disposed in the region of the outside rear view mirror on a motor vehicle and from which a jet of a cleaning liquid may be discharged. The position of the mirror element (1) relative to the body of the motor vehicle is variable, whereas the washing nozzle (9) is connected in a fixed manner to the body. To improve the cleaning action of the washing to nozzle (9), the mirror element (2) may be adjusted between a normal position, in which the driver may observe the traffic behind him in the mirror element (2), and a cleaning position, in which an advantageous angle for cleaning, in particular a steep angle arises between the mirror plane of the mirror element (2) and the jet of cleaning liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and processes for removing particulate soil from fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery.

Abstract: A water hammer cleaning machine has a cleaning liquid supply piping line with a pump to press cleaning liquid therethrough and an air piping line with compressor to press air therethrough to a piping line to be cleaned. An automatic opening-closing valve on the air piping line opens or closes the air piping line to clean alien substances inside of the piping line with the cleaning liquid and with a shock wave of resulting oscillation.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning wafers with contact holes or via holes are provided. The apparatus for cleaning wafers comprises a first arm, a second arm, a fixing device, a rotating device and a spraying device. The fixing device, disposed on the first arm, fixes the wafer in a manner such that a surface of the wafer, with contact holes or via holes, faces downward. The rotating device, disposed above the fixing device, rotates the fixing device. The spraying device, disposed on the second arm in a manner such that the spraying device is located beneath the fixing device, sprays the water upwards to the surface of the wafer. By the apparatus and method according to the invention, the possibility of native oxide remaining in the contact holes or the via holes is greatly reduced. In addition, the removal of defects from the surface of the wafer is enhanced.

Abstract: A door boot for an appliance is positioned within the access opening of the appliance. A door is movable to a closed position cooperating with the door boot to seal the interior of the appliance cabinet. A relief groove is provided in the door boot which provides flexibility when the door is moved to its open position, and thereby reduces the force necessary to break the seal during opening of the door. The relief groove forms a flexible hinge.

Abstract: A portable apparatus cleaning a conduit including a housing, a filter and a pump. The filter is attached to the conduit to be cleaned and an aqueous solution reservoir, and is storable within the housing. The pump is attached to the aqueous solution reservoir, and to the conduit to be cleaned, and is storable within the housing. A method for cleaning a conduit, which includes connecting a power supply to a pump, connecting an aqueous solution reservoir to the pump, connecting a conduit to be cleaned to the pump, connecting the conduit to be cleaned to a filter, connecting the filter to the aqueous solution reservoir, running the pump for a specified period of time, disconnecting the aqueous solution reservoir from the pump and filter, connecting the pump and filter to a container of distilled water, and running the pump for at least one cycle.

Abstract: To assure the mixing of detergent into a wash solution during an initial portion of a wash cycle in a clothes washing machine, particularly a horizontal axis or tumble-type washing machine, an additional operational step is employed wherein an inner tub or wash basket of the machine is rotated at a higher than normal speed to create a turbulence for the purpose of mixing and distributing the wash solution. Most preferably, this additional step occurs shortly after the washing machine has been filled with water for a programmed washing operation.

Abstract: A vertical axis clothes washing appliance is configured to meet predetermined energy and water usage factors by establishing a balance between water temperature, water level, and wash performance parameters. In accordance with the overall invention, additional controls for the washing machine enable an energy saving hot wash cycle to be established, with this wash cycle being designed to automatically establish a wash temperature which is intermediate warm and hot water temperature settings.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a control system which regulates a heater based on selected cycle operations and selected cycle operations based on heater related parameters. User cycle selections, along with sensed operating parameters including the level and temperature of a washing medium, are used to control the activation state of the heater to control the washing medium to within a preset range of a target temperature. Preferably, the heater is de-activated after a predetermined period of activation has been reached, whenever a door of the washing machine is opened, and during certain selected operating cycle portions, including a bleach fill and latter time cycle portions.

Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a drum for accommodating laundry and a variable speed electric motor for rotating the drum. A rise time is detected when the drum or the motor is accelerated from a first predetermined rotational speed to a second predetermined rotational speed while a predetermined constant power is being supplied to the motor. A fall time is detected when the drum or the motor is decelerated from a third predetermined rotational speed to a fourth predetermined rotational speed while the motor is in a free running state. A weight of the laundry in the drum is detected on the basis of the detected rise and fall times. A balance of the laundry in the drum is detected. The detected weight is compensated according to a result of balance detection.

Abstract: A washing appliance includes a spinner basket having a curved labyrinth ring around its outer surface. The labyrinth ring blocks water from leaving the spinner basket during the washing cycle wherein the basket spins in a first direction. The labyrinth ring permits water to exit the spinner basket when it is rotating in the opposite direction during its spinning cycle.