Patents Examined by Thomas Bucci
  • Patent number: 11823945
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a semiconductor wafer is provided. The method includes placing a semiconductor wafer over a supporter arranged around a central axis of a spin base. The method further includes securing the semiconductor wafer using a clamping member positioned on the supporter. The movement of the semiconductor wafer during the placement of the semiconductor wafer over the supporter is guided by a guiding member located over the clamping member. The method also includes spinning the semiconductor wafer by rotating the spin base about the central axis. In addition, the method includes dispensing a processing liquid over the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wang-Hua Lin, Chun-Liang Tai, Chun-Hsiang Fan, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Kuo-Bin Huang
  • Patent number: 11823914
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing heat treatment with respect to a substrate is provided. The apparatus for treating the substrate includes a substrate support member to seat a substrate on the substrate support member, a treating bowl to surround the substrate support member, a base plate provided to face a bottom surface of the substrate seated on the substrate support member, and an edge nozzle member mounted on the base plate to spray a treating liquid to a bottom edge part of the substrate seated on the substrate support member. The edge nozzle member includes a main body mounted on the base plate, a nozzle arm to mount an edge nozzle on the nozzle arm to slidably move on the main body, and a fixing member to maintain the nozzle arm at a setting position on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eunwoo Park, Daesung Kim
  • Patent number: 11794217
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of cleaning buckets are shown and described herein. An exemplary cleaning bucket includes a housing that has a cleaning solution reservoir, a dirty water reservoir and an insert for inserting into the housing. The housing has a first surface. The first surface covers the cleaning solution reservoir. The first surface is configured to allow water to flow into the dirty water reservoir through one or more openings allowing fluid to flow into the dirty water reservoir. The insert further includes a cleaning solution dispensing member located on the first surface, a pump for drawing cleaning solution out of the cleaning solution reservoir; and an activation device for causing the pump to pump fluid from the cleaning solution reservoir to the cleaning solution dispensing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephanie Bock, Mark T. Smith, Nick E. Ciavarella
  • Patent number: 11795602
    Abstract: A shipping assembly for a washing machine appliance includes a shipping box that defines a box aperture that is aligned with an aperture defined through a cabinet of the appliance when the appliance is positioned within the shipping box. A bolt assembly is configured for securing the wash tub within the cabinet when the bolt assembly is in an installed position, the bolt assembly including a spacer assembly that spaces apart the wash tub from the cabinet and the cabinet from the shipping box and that includes a retention flange to prevent the spacer assembly from falling into the shipping box. A shipping bolt includes a threaded shaft that passes through the spacer assembly to secure the spacer assembly to the wash tub and a bolt head that is seated against a shoulder of the spacer assembly in the installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaebong Lee, Dong Soo Shin, Youn-Ki Min
  • Patent number: 11795605
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a tub, a lid, and a filter assembly. The cabinet may define an opening. The tub may be disposed within the cabinet for the receipt of articles therein. The lid may be movably mounted to the cabinet to selectively cover the opening and restrict access to the tub. The filter assembly may be mounted to the lid to move therewith. The filter assembly may include an assembly box defining a box compartment and an assembly outlet upstream from the tub to direct liquid thereto. The assembly box may be movable relative to the lid. The filter assembly may further include a filter cartridge selectively received within the box compartment to filter liquid upstream from the assembly outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjana Tuniki, John Joseph Roetker, Jay Pareshbhai Shinde, Sasikumar Durairaj, Pavan Kumar Madeti
  • Patent number: 11798799
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a substrate includes a lamp for emitting ultraviolet radiation in an irradiation region; a housing that houses the lamp; a water deflector spaced below the housing, the water deflector having a water inlet for receiving a supply of ozonated water and a water outlet for discharging ozonated water irradiated by the lamp into a substrate processing region beneath the water deflector, and defining a water flow path between the water inlet and the water outlet, the water flow path extending in the irradiation region; an upper reflector extending along and above the lamp; and a lower reflector extending along and below the water deflector, wherein the upper reflector and the lower reflector at least partially define the irradiation region and reflect ultraviolet radiation toward the water flow path, and wherein the lower reflector shields the substrate from ultraviolet radiation emitted by the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Banqiu Wu, Khalid Makhamreh, Hiroki Ogawa, Eliyahu Shlomo Dagan
  • Patent number: 11761138
    Abstract: Disposed is a laundry treating apparatus having a rotator. The rotator includes a bottom portion positioned on a bottom surface of a drum, a pillar protruding from the bottom portion toward an open surface of the drum, wherein the pillar is formed in a hollow shape, a blade protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the pillar, wherein the blade extends from one end thereof facing toward the bottom surface to the other end thereof facing toward the open surface, and a cap coupled to an end of the pillar to close an interior of the pillar, and the blade is disposed such that the other end thereof is spaced apart from the cap. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize deformation of the pillar in manufacturing the rotator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Junghyun Park
  • Patent number: 11752475
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a food preparation appliance comprising a rotatable tool for chopping and/or blending a food in a food preparation pot. The tool can be mounted for rotating and can be detachably connected to a shaft. The shaft can be at least partially outside the food preparation pot. A locking mechanism is provided for connecting the tool to the shaft in a locked manner. The locking of the tool to the shaft can take place automatically. The food preparation appliance can thus be cleaned with particularly little effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Charopoulos, Niklas van Teeffelen, Felix Thies
  • Patent number: 11753759
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine including a main body having an opening and a door assembly disposed at the opening, wherein the door assembly includes a door that opens and closes the opening and an auxiliary washing unit having an auxiliary washing space in which hand-washing can be performed, and provided to pivot about one side of the door in an inside of the door. Through this configuration, separated washing spaces can be provided and separate hand-washing can be performed. Also, pressure of washing water supplied into the washing machine can be regulated so that water supply efficiency can be improved and a flow rate of the washing water can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Hyung Kim, Hyun Mook Kim, Yong Kwon Won, Masato Suzuki, Mitsuhiro Shigeri, Young Sun Shin, Goan Su Jung, Amitoj Singh, Gyu Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11744227
    Abstract: An animal water dispenser apparatus has a container with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and a water hose connected to the inlet opening. The inlet opening is positioned below the outlet opening. The water hose is adapted to pass fresh water into an interior of the container. The outlet opening is adapted to allow water from the interior of the container to be released outwardly of the container. A fresh water source can be connected to the water hose so as to pass fresh water under pressure through the water hose and into the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Tim McDonald
  • Patent number: 11746454
    Abstract: A laundry treating system includes a laundry treating appliance having a first basket for receiving a first laundry load and a first clothes mover disposed in the first basket. The laundry treating system is user configurable between first, second, and third configurations. A kit for customizing a laundry treating appliance can include a second clothes mover and a second basket configured to removably couple with the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Philip J. Czarnecki, Pamela R. Klyn, Eric W. Merrow, Jon Strait, Mary E. Zeitler
  • Patent number: 11742232
    Abstract: A substrate processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a step of holding a substrate by a substrate holding unit (31) which is rotatable, a step of arranging a top plate portion (41) above the substrate, a step of supplying a processing liquid to the substrate, and a step of supplying a rinsing liquid (Lr) between the substrate and the top plate portion (41) to wash the substrate and the top plate portion (41) with the rinsing liquid (Lr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ikeda, Shota Umezaki, Shigeru Moriyama, Ryo Yamamoto, Takashi Uno
  • Patent number: 11739454
    Abstract: A method for wet processing of hemp fibers for commercial use is provided. The method includes steps of loading raw hemp fibers with water into a vessel and heating the contents of the vessel. The method also includes the addition of a sequence of certain chemical compounds, which include a scouring agent, a wetting agent, a caustic compound, an acidic compound, a lubricant, and a softening agent. The water may be heated to boiling during the process to aid in opening up the fibers during processing. Peroxide is not utilized in the process. The process produces commercially viable quantities of hemp fibers that are soft, clean, and easily spinnable while maintaining fiber burst strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Bastcore, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Miller, III
  • Patent number: 11702786
    Abstract: A washing appliance having an article movement mechanism including an impeller and agitator post. An impeller is positioned in the wash drum and is rotational about a vertical axis and is configured for imparting motion to the articles during washing. An agitator post is positioned adjacent to the impeller and is also rotational about the vertical axis. The agitator post includes a plurality of vane sets spaced apart along the vertical axis with each vane set including at least one helical vane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: John Joseph Roetker
  • Patent number: 11702789
    Abstract: A filtration system for a laundry treating machine is provided. A filtration agitator extends upwards from an impeller base and defines a generally hollow cylindrical interior, the filtration agitator having one or more water inlets along its perimeter to permit passage of water from a treating chamber into the interior and one or more water outlets along its perimeter to permit passage of the water out of the interior. A removable cylindrical brush assembly is provided, that, when installed to the filtration agitator, extends along the vertical length of the agitator and defines a sequence of filtration elements through which a water flow passes from the water inlets to the water outlets. The water flow is configured to pass over the sequence of filtration elements in a predefined order to remove particulates from the water flow during a wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan S. Parashar, Eric J. Vasko, Mahendra S. Wankhede
  • Patent number: 11690492
    Abstract: A floor cleaner includes an electrically powered component and a switch. The switch includes a button including an actuator surface. A fluid channel is formed by a fluid collection surface disposed below the button and an outer channel wall extending upwardly from the fluid collection surface, the fluid channel having a fluid outlet. A projection of the button is received in an inner button aperture formed by an inner wall extending from the fluid collection surface forming a bushing around the projection. The inner wall inhibits flow of fluid from the fluid channel through the inner button aperture. The outer channel wall surrounds the aperture wall such that fluid entering the body between the perimeter of the button actuator surface and the aperture wall is collected by the fluid channel and directed to the fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Techtronic Floor Care Technology Limited
    Inventors: Douglas M. Rukavina, Donovan Bode, Juan Aviles Quintero
  • Patent number: 11680359
    Abstract: A drawer-style laundry treating appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior and having an open face. A drawer body is slidably received within the cabinet for movement through the open face between a closed position wherein the drawer body is received within the interior and an opened position wherein the drawer body is at least partially withdrawn from the interior. A tub is located within the interior, carried by the drawer body, and has a tub opening accessible when the drawer body is in the opened position, the tub further at least partially defining a treating chamber accessible through the tub opening. A tub cover selectively closes the tub opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth L. McConnell, Kevin Gene Schneider
  • Patent number: 11680357
    Abstract: A sealing valve plug structure includes a valve plug column corresponding to the drain opening formed in the side wall of an inner drum, and a counterweight hinged to the upper end of the valve plug column. The sealing valve installation structure is installed on the side wall of the drum, and the reset spring is clamped between the sealing valve installation structure and the valve plug column. The counterweight is used to generate an action, under the action of centrifugal force, to open the drain opening, and the valve plug column is reset by the reset spring to make the valve plug block the drain opening, to thereby open and close the drain opening. A cleaning-free washing machine having an inner drum sealed by the sealing valve plug structure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER SMART TECHNOLOGY R&D CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yimin Li, Chunfeng Lao, Xinghui Hao, Di Wu, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 11674257
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treating apparatus. The laundry treating apparatus includes a cabinet, a tub, a drum, and a detergent reservoir. The detergent reservoir has a storage space defined therein for storing the detergent therein, and has a ventilation hole defined in a top face thereof for communicating the storage space with the outside. The laundry treating apparatus further includes a flow inhibiting wall including a plurality of inhibiting walls arranged in the storage space and protruding from an inner face of the detergent reservoir to inhibit flow of the detergent towards the ventilation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungwoon Jung, Hunjun Jang
  • Patent number: 11672627
    Abstract: A cleaning device, especially an instrument cleaning device, having a thin, flexible threadlike object with a first straight end and a second looped end and a swab member attached to the looped end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Foamtec International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ferdinand Frederick Pisacane