By Distilling, Or Liquefying Vapors Of, Used Agent Patents (Class 134/12)
  • Patent number: 7128169
    Abstract: Method for the removal and recovery of the oily component from cuttings coming from the drilling of oil wells by treatment of the cuttings with a solvent, which can be compressed to the liquid state, at a pressure value ranging from 45 to 80 bar and a temperature corresponding to the saturation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Felicia Massetti, Alessandro Nardella, Raffaele Tomaciello, Alberto Guarneri
  • Patent number: 7011713
    Abstract: The method of continuously collecting jelly compounds from jelly filled cable is performed by recycling operation of a solvent by repeatedly heating, cleaning and condensing the recycling solvent used to deprive the jelly compounds of the jelly filled cable. The solvent can be retrieved for reuse unlimited times, and the collected jelly compounds can be purified for reuse too. The method is energy saving with less consumption of solvent. Absolutely no worry of an additional public nuisance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daw-Ming Fann, Shiow-Chen Lu, Yih-Chyuan Lin, Jih-Yang Liu, Hsi-Pai Hsu
  • Patent number: 6951835
    Abstract: Disclosed are binary azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane (HFC-365mfc) and 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane (HFC-43-10mee) or nonafluoromethoxybutane. The present invention further includes ternary or quaternary azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane and 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane or nonafluoromethoxybutane, and additionally trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, n-propyl bromide, acetone, methanol, ethanol or isopropanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignees: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Micro Care Corporation
    Inventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Melodie A. Schweitzer, Thomas L. Tattersall
  • Patent number: 6930079
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating a lipophilic fluid contained in an emulsion of water and lipophilic fluid. The process includes the steps of pretreating the emulsion, removing lipophilic fluid from the emulsion, and purifying the lipophilic fluid to remove at least a portion of the impurities collected during the use of the emulsion. Method options are provided for each of the aforementioned steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Deak, Paul Amaat France, Kristina Marie Rohal Gansle, Anna Vadimovna Noyes, Arseni V. Radomyselski, John Cort Severns, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, Jean Wevers
  • Patent number: 6914040
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treating a lipophilic fluid contained in an emulsion of water and lipophilic fluid. The process includes the steps of pretreating the emulsion, removing lipophilic fluid from the emulsion, and purifying the lipophilic fluid to remove at least a portion of the impurities collected during the use of the emulsion. Method options are provided for each of the aforementioned steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Christopher Deak, Paul Armaat France, Kristina Marie Rohal Gansle, Anna Vadimovna Radomyselski, Arseni V. Radomyselski, John Cort Severns, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, Jean Wevers
  • Patent number: 6900166
    Abstract: A process for dry cleaning laundry articles comprising at least one dry cleaning step followed by at least one regeneration step wherein said regeneration step comprises contacting the articles with a regeneration composition comprising 0 to 10 wt. % of a surfactant; 0.001 to 10 wt. % of water; 0 to 50 wt. % of a cosolvent and the balance being organic dry cleaning solvent, preferably a non-flammable, non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent, wherein the regeneration composition comprises an aqueous phase having a pH of at least 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joop Evers, Machiel Goedhart, Fred Kerpels, Cornelis Gerhard Kralingen van, Pieter Everhardus Overdevest, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Karin Vrieswijk
  • Patent number: 6875709
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing and modifying a low k dielectric layer in an interconnect structure is disclosed. A spin-on low k dielectric layer which includes an organic silsesquioxane, polyarylether, bisbenzocyclobuene, or SiLK is spin coated on a substrate. The substrate is placed in a process chamber in a supercritical CO2 system and is treated at a temperature between 30° C. and 150° C. and at a pressure from 70 to 700 atmospheres. A co-solvent such as CF3—X or F—X is added that selectively replaces C—CH3 bonds with C—CF3 or C—F bonds. Alternatively, H2O2 is employed as co-solvent to replace a halogen in a C—Z bond where Z=F, Cl, or Br with an hydroxyl group. Two co-solvents may be combined with CO2 for more flexibility. The cured dielectric layer has improved properties that include better adhesion, lower k value, increased hardness, and a higher elastic modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Comapny, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Hsien Lin, Henry Lo, Anthony Liu, Yu-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 6858093
    Abstract: A composition and method for treating oversprayed paints in paint spray booths is provided. The composition includes an aqueous solution of a compound such as chitosan, and a complex metal salt, such as aluminum chlorohydrate, capable of flocculating the oversprayed paint, and optionally, bentonite clay. The composition is useful for detackifying and flocculating oversprayed paint, and is particularly useful as a liquid concentrate for the addition to wash systems in paint spray booths for water-based and solvent-based paints. The composition is also useful in decreasing the time for phase separation of the organic phase and the aqueous phase in solvent-based removal processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Albu, Phillip J. Beauchamp
  • Patent number: 6846789
    Abstract: Composition and method for removing photoresist materials from electronic components. The composition is a mixture of at least one dense phase fluid and at least one dense phase fluid modifier. The method includes exposing a substrate to at least one pulse of the composition in a supercritical state to remove photoresist materials from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Leisa B. Davenhall, James B. Rubin, Craig M. V. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6846790
    Abstract: A sequential process for dry cleaning laundry articles is provided comprising a) at least one non-aqueous dry cleaning step, b) at least one low-aqueous dry cleaning step, and, optionally, at least one rinsing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joop Evers, Machiel Goedhart, Fred Kerpels, Cornelis Gerhard Kralingen van, Pieter Everhardus Overdevest, Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Karin Vrieswijk
  • Patent number: 6783602
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for controlled environment processing of parts in a chamber or chambers wherein solvents and/or solutions used for processing the parts can be introduced. The process includes applying a negative gauge pressure to the chamber to remove air or other non-condensable gases. Next a solvent, solvent mixture or solution in either a liquid or vapor state is introduced to the chamber. A first system is then applied to recover the solvent(s) or solution(s) from the object being processed and chamber, and a second system, separate from the first system, is applied that further recovers residual solvent or solution from the object and chamber. Treatment of the part may be in the form of coating, etching, deposition, cleaning, stripping, plating, adhesion, dissolving, penetrating, anodizing, impregnating, debinding or any other process in which material is removed or deposited on a solid surface by transfer from or to a liquid or gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Donald Gray
  • Patent number: 6783601
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a controlled environment processing chamber into which solvents, water and/or gases can be introduced for cleaning of an object. The process includes first applying a negative gauge pressure to the chamber to non-condensable gases and then introducing a solvent, solvent mixture, water or gas in either a liquid or vapor state to remove soluble contaminants from the surface of an object being processed in the chamber. Further steps recover residual solvent or solution from the object and chamber. A secondary cleaning step directs a vapor state fluid at high velocity at a solid surface of the object to remove insoluble material left behind after the pretreatment step. A final series of steps recovers any loose impediments or residual liquid or vapor from the chamber and returns the chamber to atmospheric pressure for removal of the cleaned object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Donald Gray, Charlotte Fredrick
  • Patent number: 6743300
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a controlled environment processing chamber or chambers in which solvents and/or solutions used for processing a material or object can be introduced. The process includes a means of applying a negative gauge pressure to the chamber to remove air or other non-condensable gases. Means are provided for introducing a solvent, solvent mixture or solution in either a liquid or vapor state. A first system recovers solvent(s) or solution(s) from the object being processed and chamber, and a second system, separate from the first system, further recovers residual solvent or solution from the object and chamber. Treatment may be in the form of coating, etching, deposition, cleaning, stripping, plating, adhesion, dissolving, penetrating, anodizing, impregnating, debinding or any other process in which material is removed or deposited on a solid surface by transfer from or to a liquid or gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Donald Gray
  • Publication number: 20040060576
    Abstract: A cleaning system and method for in-process sensors wherein a scouring jet discharges process fluid as the cleaning agent to remove solids and other contaminants from the surface of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: James Timothy Cronin, Thomas Shields Elkins, Lisa Edith Helberg, Angela Ruth Strzelecki
  • Publication number: 20040055623
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a controlled environment processing chamber or chambers in which solvents and/or solutions used for processing a material or object can be introduced. The process includes a means of applying a negative gauge pressure to the chamber to remove air or other non-condensable gases. Means are provided for introducing a solvent, solvent mixture or solution in either a liquid or vapor state. A first system recovers solvent(s) or solution(s) from the object being processed and chamber, and a second system, separate from the first system, further recovers residual solvent or solution from the object and chamber. Treatment may be in the form of coating, etching, deposition, cleaning, stripping, plating, adhesion, dissolving, penetrating, anodizing, impregnating, debinding or any other process in which material is removed or deposited on a solid surface by transfer from or to a liquid or gas phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Donald Gray
  • Patent number: 6688318
    Abstract: A combination of parallel processes to provide optimal re-mediation operations for contaminated soil. Soils with high levels of heavy petroleum hydrocarbons are directed to a thermal process for destruction in a combustion process. Carbon dioxide generated and recovered in the thermal process is employed as a solvent in a solvent process to clean other soils of petroleum hydrocarbons and certain chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds. In the solvent process, contaminated soils are run through a closed soil separator where the soils are washed with carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is then dried from the soil and the soil is sent for segregation. Soils with the lightest forms of hydrocarbon contamination (gasoline, etc.) are subjected to a vaporization process utilizing heat energy generated in the thermal process to heat the soil, under a partial vacuum, and the vapors generated are captured, condensed, and recovered as product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Steve L. Clark
  • Publication number: 20030221704
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide is purified through the use of catalytic oxidation. Carbon dioxide is exposed to at least one catalyst, oxidizing at least a portion of the nonvolatile organic residues to form purified carbon dioxide that is directed to an application. Carbon dioxide that is in a near-critical, critical, or supercritical phase can be exposed to the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Clinton Johnson, Carl Joseph Heim, John Fredric Billingham
  • Patent number: 6656288
    Abstract: A device and method that cleans microwave ovens through a chemical action, specifically to an agent that is placed into the microwave oven, and then activated by operating the oven for a period of time. Different embodiments include a devise composed of an open cell container filled with solution; an open cell container with an attached sponge(s) and filled with solution; and a sponge that contains a cleaning solution in hydrant or dehydrated form. In some of the described embodiments, the devise has a tear off membrane seal to maintain the solution within the cell prior to use. Another embodiment described has a bottle hanger attached to a cell. All embodiments maintain a process to absorb excess microwave energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: John-Paul F. Cherry
  • Publication number: 20030205245
    Abstract: Toner xerographically adhered to a material, such as a sheet of paper, may be removed using a solvent-based or solventless approach. The application of ultrasonic tamping, scraping and brushing may aid in removing toner particles. In a solvent-based approach, a solvent may be applied generally or the solvent may be targeted specifically to the toner covered portions of the material to loosen the adhesive securement of the toner to the material. Thereafter, the toner is subjected to a mechanical abrasion using ultrasonic and physical agitation to cause flaking of the toner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: David H. Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6613155
    Abstract: A method for servicing firefighter's turnout gear includes the step of transporting a mobile servicing facility in proximity to a fire department facility. The mobile servicing facility carries cleaning equipment for cleaning firefighter's turnout gear. For example, the cleaning equipment may include a cleaning machine for use with a carbon dioxide-based cleaning agent, a solvent, or laundry equipment. The method also includes the steps of operating the cleaning equipment to clean turnout gear of the fire department facility, and transporting the mobile servicing facility away from the fire department facility. Optionally, the mobile servicing facility also carries repairing equipment, supplies for repairing the turnout gear, power generation equipment, and/or a tracking system for preparing a report of services performed on the turnout gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: David L. Clark
  • Publication number: 20030131873
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a controlled environment processing chamber or chambers in which solvents and/or solutions used for processing a material or object can be introduced. The process includes a means of applying a negative gauge pressure to the chamber to remove air or other non-condensable gases. Means are provided for introducing a solvent, solvent mixture or solution in either a liquid or vapor state. A first system recovers solvent(s) or solution(s) from the object being processed and chamber, and a second system, separate from the first system, further recovers residual solvent or solution from the object and chamber. Treatment may be in the form of coating, etching, deposition, cleaning, stripping, plating, adhesion, dissolving, penetrating, anodizing, impregnating, debinding or any other process in which material is removed or deposited on a solid surface by transfer from or to a liquid or gas phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Donald Gray
  • Patent number: 6589357
    Abstract: In order to remove impurities, especially liquids (5) and/or particles (4) from surfaces of plate-shaped workpieces (2) contaminated or wetted with liquid (5), at least one wiping element (3) is provided which moves with respect to the surface (2a) the wiping element (3) to be cleaned and contacts this surface (2a). The wiping element (3) is cooled down so that the liquid (5) coming into contact with this wiping element (3) and bristles (8) preferably provided thereon assumes a higher viscosity or even solidifies and consequently remains adhered together with the particles (4) contained in the liquid (5) to the wiping element (3) or its bristles (8). This cleaning principle can be assisted and influenced by heating of the surface of workpiece (2) upstream of the wiping element or elements (3) in the feed direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Wandres GmbH Micro-Cleaning
    Inventor: Claus G Wandres
  • Patent number: 6569256
    Abstract: Toner xerographically adhered to a material, such as a sheet of paper, may be removed using a solvent-based or solventless approach. The application of ultrasonic tamping, scraping and brushing may aid in removing toner particles. In a solvent-based approach, a solvent may be applied generally or the solvent may be targeted specifically to the toner covered portions of the material to loosen the adhesive securement of the toner to the material. Thereafter, the toner is subjected to a mechanical abrasion using ultrasonic and physical agitation to cause flaking of the toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David H. Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6550552
    Abstract: Oil drill cuttings, containing an oil-based mud, may be treated by mixing the cuttings with an organic solvent. The oil drill cuttings are then separated from the organic solvent and extracted oil. The organic solvent is then separated from the oil, and mixed with the extracted oil drill cuttings to extract additional oil therefrom. The oil drill cuttings are again separated from the organic solvent and oil, the oil separated from the solvent, and recombined with the oil from the first extraction step. The oil base and other mud components are recycled, depending on the treatment procedure, for subsequent use in drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: EniTechnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Rosario Pappa, Umberto Cova, Raffaello Sisto, Armando Marcotullio, Antonella Carpentieri
  • Patent number: 6547970
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of a wiping solution, characterized by including: adding a flocculant to a used wiping solution for flocculation of ink contained in said used wiping solution; filtering said used wiping solution for separation of said used wiping solution into sludge and a filtrate; heating said filtrate to produce distilled water and a concentrated solution; returning said distilled water for recycling to serve as a raw material of a wiping solution; and heating said concentrated solution for separation of said concentrated solution into steam and a solid residue. An apparatus for performing the method of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Shinoda
  • Publication number: 20030066540
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a new process of cleaning of objects that relate to semiconductor fabrication processes, such as, for example, conductive paste screening in the production of multilayer ceramic substrates and composite solder paste by stencil printing in electronic circuit assembly. Specifically, this invention is concerned with removing a metal/polymer composite paste from screening masks and associated paste making and processing equipment used in printing conductive metal pattern onto ceramic green sheet in the fabrication of semiconductor packaging substrates. This invention is also concerned with cleaning of solder paste residue from stencil printing equipment used in electronic module assembly surface mount technology for SMT discretes, solder column attachment, and BGA (Ball Grid Array) attachment on ceramic chip carrier or for screening solder paste onto printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Krishna G. Sachdev, James N. Humenik, Chon Cheong Lei, Glenn A. Pomerantz
  • Publication number: 20030047195
    Abstract: According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method for cleaning a microelectronic substrate includes placing the substrate in a pressure chamber. A process fluid including dense phase CO2 is circulated through the chamber such that the process fluid contacts the substrate. The phase of the CO2 is cyclically modulated during at least a portion of the step of circulating the process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: James DeYoung, James B. McClain, Michael E. Cole, Steven Lee Worm, David Brainard
  • Publication number: 20030004081
    Abstract: A composition and method for the removal of scale from a substrate are disclosed. The composition and method are more specifically utilized for the in situ removal of silicate-containing scale from interior surfaces of boilers and other heat exchange equipment. The silicate-containing scale is deposited in the boilers as silicate-sulfate complexes of calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and other metal atoms that are present in water. The composition, which is circulated throughout the boiler to contact the interior surfaces, such as the boiler tubes, includes a chelating agent having at least two carboxylic acid functional groups, preferably citric acid. The composition also includes an alkali metal hydroxide basic agent. The preferred alkali metal hydroxides are either potassium or sodium hydroxide. The basic agent establishes an overall basic pH of from 7 to 14 in the composition to enable precipitation of the metal atoms from the composition after interaction with the chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gary D. Ellis, Matthew T. Lusher
  • Publication number: 20020195126
    Abstract: Plant parts which are used for the production or processing of (meth)acrylic esters are cleaned by
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: HEINRICH AICHINGER, HOLGER HERBST, GERHARD NESTLER, JURGEN SCHRODER
  • Publication number: 20020129836
    Abstract: A method for servicing firefighter's turnout gear includes the step of transporting a mobile servicing facility in proximity to a fire department facility. The mobile servicing facility carries cleaning equipment for cleaning firefighter's turnout gear. For example, the cleaning equipment may include a cleaning machine for use with a carbon dioxide-based cleaning agent, a solvent, or laundry equipment. The method also includes the steps of operating the cleaning equipment to clean turnout gear of the fire department facility, and transporting the mobile servicing facility away from the fire department facility. Optionally, the mobile servicing facility also carries repairing equipment, supplies for repairing the turnout gear, power generation equipment, and/or a tracking system for preparing a report of services performed on the turnout gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: David L. Clark
  • Patent number: 6402857
    Abstract: The invention provides a solvent mixture including n-propyl bromide, a mixture of low boiling solvents and, preferably, a defluxing and/or ionics removing additive and/or at least one saturated terpene. The invention also provides a method of cleaning an article (e.g., an electrical, plastic, or metal part) in a vapor degreaser using the solvent mixture. The solvent mixture of the invention is non-flammable, non-corrosive, and non-hazardous. In addition, it has a high solvency and a very low ozone depletion potential. Thus, using the solvent mixture of the invention, oil, grease, rosin flux, and other organic material can be readily removed from the article of interest in an environmentally safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Lawrence Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clark, James L. Priest
  • Publication number: 20020004954
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide dry cleaning system features a pair of liquid carbon dioxide storage tanks in communication with a compressor. A sealed cleaning chamber contains the objects to be cleaned. By selectively pressurizing the storage tanks with the compressor, liquid carbon dioxide is made to flow to the cleaning chamber through cleaning nozzles so as to provide agitation of the objects being dry cleaned. Liquid carbon dioxide displaced from the cleaning chamber returns to the storage tanks. In an alternative embodiment, a single storage tank is pressurized via a compressor with gas from the cleaning chamber so that liquid solvent from the storage tank travels to the cleaning chamber through nozzles. The objects in the cleaning chamber are agitated by a rotating basket. After a prewash cycle, liquid solvent from the cleaning chamber is directed to a still. The liquid solvent in the still is boiled through a connection with the head space of the cleaning chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: A. Duane Preston, Jon R. Turner, Charles Svoboda
  • Publication number: 20010045219
    Abstract: The present invention comprises methods, compositions and apparatus for cleaning the surfaces within vessels that have restricted points of entry, and in particular, the surfaces within oxygen converters and oxygen cylinders. These oxygen converters and oxygen cylinders are components of the onboard oxygen supply systems of aircraft. A surfactant and a solvent are mixed to form a cleaning composition that is boiled at reduced pressure and increased temperature within the oxygen converter or oxygen cylinder. The oxygen converter or oxygen cylinder is rinsed with pure solvent, and the rinse fluid is measured to determine the level of contaminants. Dry air is forced through the oxygen converter or oxygen cylinder to remove remaining solvent. The cleaning composition may comprise a fluorocarbon solvent and a fluorosurfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Gregory M. Fillipi, Bobby E. Walls, Kenneth Magerus, Jerry L. Gore, Jerome B. Strauss, Gerard K. Newman, Jan Goldberg, Christy Crowe
  • Patent number: 6312528
    Abstract: An improved approach for cleaning and recycling materials is based on pressurized solvents including liquid propane, butane, dimethyl ether, and supercritical carbon dioxide. The approaches are particularly suitable for cleaning sorbent materials. The approach allows for recycling of the sorbent materials, the solvent and the contaminents, typically oils and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: CRI Recycling Service, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Summerfield, John P. Markiewicz, John M. Moses, Randall L. Barcus
  • Patent number: 6296717
    Abstract: An in-situ method for regenerating a chemical-mechanical polishing pad which includes the steps of: forming the polishing pad by dispensing liquid moldable material, such as wax, polymers or water, on a polishing surface and solidifying the liquid material by reducing the temperature, allowing the moldable material to harden; distributing slurry material on the polishing pad; polishing the surface of a semiconductor wafer with a combination of the slurry material and the polishing pad; and regenerating in-situ the polishing pad. This method quickly, easily and repeatably, resurfaces and refreshes the surface on which the a semiconductor wafer is polished. The polishing pad may also include abrasives embedded therein to enhance its polishing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Adam D. Ticknor, Karl E. Boggs, Kenneth M. Davis, William F. Landers, Michael L. Passow
  • Patent number: 6260386
    Abstract: Glass preforms are cleaned by contacting each preform (11) with supercritical carbon dioxide which dissolves residual index-matching oil on the preform. The liquefied carbon dioxide is then converted to gaseous carbon dioxide which conveniently separates the index-matching oil so that it can be recovered and reused. The gaseous carbon dioxide is likewise recycled for use in cleaning other preforms, and so there is substantially no waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Jonathan Evans, Siu-Ping Hong, Urmi Ray, Trudy Murrell Thiele
  • Patent number: 6254781
    Abstract: Ferrofluid coated particles resulting from a ferrofluid materials separation process are washed with a solvent which is the same material as the liquid carrier employed in the ferrofluid. The result is a “dirty” solvent which is a very weak ferrofluid. The dirty solvent is then filtered or centrifuged to remove dust particles and other impurities and then the solvent is recovered by distillation in a distillation unit. The solvent can then be reused in the materials reclamation process. The residue in the distillation unit is surfactant-coated particles of ferrofluid. This residue is mixed with either clean or unprocessed solvent in the right proportion and the slurry is passed through an attritor to convert it to a high grade ferrofluid. The ferrofluid can also be reused in the materials separation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ferrofluidics Corporation
    Inventor: Kuldip Raj
  • Patent number: 6216302
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide dry cleaning system features a pair of liquid carbon dioxide storage tanks in communication with a compressor. A sealed cleaning chamber contains the objects being dry cleaned. By selectively pressurizing the storage tanks with the compressor, liquid carbon dioxide is made to flow to the cleaning chamber through cleaning nozzles so as to provide agitation of the objects being dry cleaned. Liquid carbon dioxide displaced from the cleaning chamber returns to the storage tanks. A still is disposed within one of the storage tanks and receives soiled liquid carbon dioxide as it is returned from the chamber. The pressure in the storage tank causes the soiled liquid carbon dioxide in the still to boil off. The gas is communicated to a third tank. The third tank may be used to initially pressurize the cleaning chamber. The system also includes a dispenser for the injecting solvent additives into the liquid carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: MVE, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Duane Preston, Jon R. Turner
  • Patent number: 6210602
    Abstract: Compositions including 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane and at least one surface-active agent chosen from hydrophobic organic surface-active agents of the amine, carboxylic acid diester and phosphoric acid ester types, which can be employed for removing water from a solid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Barthelemy, Mireille Paulus
  • Patent number: 6180009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fractionating organic circuit board manufacture process solutions by means of at least one very fine filtration step. In the process of the present invention, the dissolved substances present in the process solutions are separated, for example by ultrafiltration, from the organic process solvent, e.g., ethyidiglycol, to permit their respective reuse. The process of the present invention advantageously provides for considerable savings in terms of costs of material and energy and also for a considerable reduction in or even complete avoidance of waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Vantico Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Gottwald
  • Patent number: 6176942
    Abstract: The invention provides a solvent mixture including n-propyl bromide, a mixture of low boiling solvents and, preferably, a defluxing and/or ionics removing additive and/or at least one saturated terpene. The invention also provides a method of cleaning an article (e.g., an electrical, plastic, or metal part) in a vapor degreaser using the solvent mixture. The solvent mixture of the invention is non-flammable, non-corrosive, and non-hazardous. In addition, it has a high solvency and a very low ozone depletion potential. Thus, using the solvent mixture of the invention, oil, grease, rosin flux, and other organic material can be readily removed from the article of interest in an environmentally safe manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Lawrence Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clark, James L. Priest
  • Patent number: 6174850
    Abstract: To replace compositions based on CFCs or CFHCs in applications for cleaning or drying solid surfaces (in particular defluxing), the invention proposes azeotropic or quasi-azeotropic compositions based on 1,1,1,2,3,4,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane, 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane and, optionally, methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Atofina
    Inventor: Pascal Michaud
  • Patent number: 6162304
    Abstract: Cleaning a component of a vapor compression system with a cleaning composition having a hydrofluorocarbon as an active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: David Weidman, George McDonough, Raymond Thomas, Ian Shankland, Roy Robinson, Ellen Swan
  • Patent number: 6162733
    Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from integrated circuit devices. Particularly disclosed is a method for removing alkali metal and halogen-based contaminants from an integrated circuit device as the device is being fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yaw Samuel Obeng
  • Patent number: 6159333
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing substrates that is configured for a cleaning operation by loading a cleaning process wafer onto the susceptor before forming a cleaning plasma in the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a ceramic wafer is chosen to have a dielectric value sufficient to alter the electromagnetic field of the plasma, and spreads the plasma away from the susceptor during a cleaning operation, thus reducing damage to the susceptor. The plasma may be directed towards the walls of the chamber to reduce chamber cleaning time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Gupta, Srihari Ponnekanti, Gana A. Rimple, Laxman Murugesh
  • Patent number: 6156668
    Abstract: A method for forming a fine pattern in a semiconductor device removes roughness from a pattern produced in a fine pattern fabrication process using a silylation process as being one kind of a TSI process, eliminates smoothly a photosensitive film residue caused by a residue silylation layer remained on a-non-pattern area, and increases a margin of a lithography process. To achieve the foregoing, the method performs an etching process with a fluorine/oxygen mixture gas so as to remove a thin oxide film being formed on the non-pattern area after a silylation process, enables an edge portion of a silylation region to be planarized so as to prevent the pattern from becoming rough, and forms a photosensitive film pattern by developing the photosensitive film with oxygen plasma. Thereafter, the photosensitive film residue is etched again with a mixture gas of fluorine/oxygen, thereby increasing a fabrication margin of the fine pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung Gi Kim, Myung Soo Kim, Cheol Kyu Bok, Ki Ho Baik, Dae Hoon Lee, Jin Woong Kim, Byung Jun Park
  • Patent number: 6147042
    Abstract: The cleaner of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, a polyphosphoric-acid-urea condensate or phosphoric-acid-urea polymer which is a reaction product from orthophosphoric acid and urea and is used for cleaning a metal surface and/or a glass surface in at least one process of a semiconductor device production process and a liquid crystal device production process. According to the present invention, an etching residue and impurities on metal (including semimetal) and glass surfaces can be cleaned off with high environmental and working safety and effectively without causing the problem of metal corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignees: Kishimoto Sangyo Co., Ltd., Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Yata, Yutaka Koinuma, Kazunori Fukumura, Yoshihito Fukumura
  • Patent number: 6130169
    Abstract: The inventive method allows for a more complete stripping of photoresist and sidewall polymer in the production of semiconductor devices using a four step process in a plasma stripper. The first step uses CF.sub.4, O.sub.2, and H.sub.2 O as etchant gases in a downstream quartz (DSQ) chamber at a low pressure, which are ionized by radio waves for a period of between 5 and 20 seconds. The second step discontinues the radio waves, while continuing the flow of etchant gases and heating the semiconductor. The third step only provides H.sub.2 O vapor to the DSQ chamber. The fourth step provides both O.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O as etchant gases ionized by radio waves to remove the remaining resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Shields, King Wai Kelwin Ko, Leobardo Mercado
  • Patent number: 6117794
    Abstract: A method of preparing a supporting substrate of an optical subassembly for metal-oxide bonding an optical element to the substrate. The method includes providing a supporting substrate including a metalized region for metal-oxide bonding an optical element to the substrate and rinsing the substrate in a potassium hydroxide solution. The potassium hydroxide solution removes any excess metal oxide or other contaminants from the surface of the metalized region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Dormer, John William Osenbach, Marilyn Markey Ecker
  • Patent number: 6110836
    Abstract: Native oxides can be removed from a substrate having high aspect ratio openings therein by using a plasma gas precursor mixture of a reactive halogen-containing gas and a carrier gas such as helium. The lightweight ions generated in the plasma react with oxygen to produce very volatile oxygen-containing species that can be readily removed through the exhaust system of the plasma chamber, preventing re-deposition of oxides on the surface of the substrate or on the sidewalls or bottom of the openings. When the substrate is mounted in a plasma chamber having dual power sources that can form a plasma above the substrate and can apply bias to the substrate, tapered openings are formed rapidly that can be readily filled without forming voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Barney M. Cohen, Jingang Su, Kenny King-Tai Ngan