Abstract: A device for transporting packagings, in particular packagings for foodstuffs, is disclosed. The device may include a frame, at least two pulleys mounted rotatably on the frame, at least one traction means which runs around the pulleys, and a plurality of mounts for receiving the packagings. The mounts may be connected to the traction means. To also allow the packagings to be precisely positioned in the case of long transportation distances, the traction means may be a belt, in particular a synchronous belt. A method for use of a device of this type for transporting packagings for foodstuffs, in particular composite packagings for foodstuffs, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor belt washer/dryer that includes a housing, which encloses a washing station separated by one or more spray barriers from a drying station. The housing has a passage that is sized and configured to allow the conveyor belt to successively pass through the washing station and the drying station. The washing station includes one or more washing heads, a splash plate and a reservoir. The washing heads discharge a wash liquid onto the top surface of the conveyor belt and the splash plate redirects the wash liquid onto the bottom surface. The reservoir collects the spent wash liquid. The drying station includes one or more air knife/knives that discharge(s) pressurized air onto the conveyor belt to dry the belt.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate cleaning method includes cleaning a semiconductor substrate formed with a line-and-space pattern, supplying rinse water to rinse the substrate, rinsing the substrate, and drying the substrate. The supplying rinse water includes supplying deionized water and hydrochloric acid into a mixing section to mix the deionized water and the hydrochloric acid into a mixture, heating the mixture in the mixing section by a heater, detecting a pH value and a temperature of the mixture by a pH sensor and a temperature sensor respectively, adjusting an amount of hydrochloric acid supplied into the mixing section so that the rinse water has a predetermined pH value indicative of acidity, and energizing or de-energizing the heater so that the temperature of the mixture detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, thereby producing the rinse water which has a temperature of not less than 70° C. and is acidic.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for wet processing a substantially rectangular substrate includes a conveyor, a supporting mechanism, an adjusting mechanism, a processing module and a dosing system. The conveyor is configured for conveying the substrate to a wet process work station. The supporting mechanism is configured for supporting the substrate away from the conveyor. The adjusting mechanism is configured for adjusting the orientation of the substrate. The processing module is configured for obtaining an area of a surface of the substrate. The dosing system communicates with the processing unit, and is configured for dispensing a corresponding amount of wet processing liquid to the substrate to wet process the substrate according to the area of the surface of the substrate from the processing module.

Abstract: A conveyor dishwasher (2) has a control apparatus (50) for automatically setting the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the conveying speed and/or as a function of the type of washware conveyed through the final rinse zone (18). A rinse aid metering apparatus (57) is also provided which is designed to add in a metered fashion a constant quantity of rinse aid per unit time to the fresh water provided for final rinsing purposes independently of the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time.

Abstract: A drive chain for a container cleaning machine having a plurality of chain links connected to one another by means of bolts and strung together in an articulated manner as well as having idler rollers supported on the bolt in a manner, that allows rotation. The idler rollers of the drive chain are arranged outside the chain links that are connected to one another and secured to the bolt by a holding device in such a way that the individual idler rollers can be exchanged independently of one another.

Abstract: A tunnel washer that includes fluid exhaust paths that are optimized to minimize fluid transfer between chambers of the washer and minimize heat loss from each chamber of the washer. The fluid exhaust paths also facilitate uniform vapor evacuation from each chamber of the washer. The tunnel washer also includes spaced-apart double wall curtains for isolating chambers of the tunnel washer to prevent fluid and heat transfer therebetween, and to the exterior of the tunnel washer. The double wall curtains include surfaces that inhibit the curtains from sticking together during operation of the tunnel washer. The tunnel washer also includes an air manifold that provides uniform drying efficiency for articles of varying dimensions.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting contaminating species such as metal particles on a wafer edge from a semiconductor fabrication process are disclosed. In the method, a wafer is suspended and rotated in a container with a volume of solvent at a bottom portion of the container such that only an edge portion of the wafer is exposed to the solvent. After the wafer is turned in the solvent such that the entire edge portion of the wafer has been exposed to the solvent, the solvent may be removed for analyzing in an electronic instrument for detecting the species of contaminating particles. The apparatus further includes a wafer mounting device for supporting the wafer which can be adjusted in height to suit wafers of different diameters.

Abstract: A photoresist stripping apparatus and a corresponding method for removing photoresist layers after a patterned polyimide layer is developed. The photoresist-stripping apparatus includes a transporting unit, a stripping unit, a washing unit, a drying unit and a control unit. The transporting unit connects the stripping unit, the washing unit and the drying unit. The control unit is responsible for controlling the transport sequence and timing of the transporting unit. The method of stripping the photoresist layer off the OLED panel includes providing a stripping solution to the stripping unit to remove photoresist layers. The OLED panel is jet-cleaned with a washing solution in the washing unit so that any residual stripping agent is removed. Finally, the surface of the OLED panel is blown dry.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing, filling and sealing containers has a sterilization chamber, a cooling chamber, and a filling and sealing chamber, through which the containers are conveyed by means of an endless conveyor device. For presterilizing the chambers before the apparatus is put into operation, these chambers are acted upon by a gaseous sterilizing agent flowing through them, which is fed through an inlet or an outlet for the containers. In order that regions less affected by the flowing sterilizing agent as it flows, because they are in the lee, will also be disinfected well, the flow direction of the sterilizing agent is changed multiple times. A blower with a reversible flow direction is used for this purpose.

Abstract: A method and system for immersion cleaning of mechanical parts which includes a continuous conveyor having a plurality of vertical conveyor runs which pass through one or more cleaning tanks. Each cleaning tank includes at least two turbulent wash zones. Pivotal parts carriers are supported by the conveyor and are loaded at a parts loading station and are unloaded at a parts discharge station.

Abstract: A method and system for immersion cleaning of mechanical parts which includes a continuous conveyor having a plurality of vertical conveyor runs which pass through at least one cleaning tank. Each cleaning tank includes at least two turbulent wash zones. Parts carriers are supported by the conveyor such that the parts are rotated as they are conveyed through the at least one cleaning tank during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A monorail conveyor system used to transport dishes to and from a dishwashing unit including a monorail mountable to a ceiling or a support frame, the monorail being of substantial length such as to form a loop traversing the entire dishwashing system. The monorail is hollow and mounted therein is a continuous chain supported by a plurality of wheels. A number of dish rack holders are each suspended from the chain by vertically extending bars which are pivotably attached to the chain conveyor so that the holder can tilt at a loading or unloading station. Guide wheels and an elongate horizontal track are provided to either support the holders in a horizontal position or permit them to tilt at the aforementioned stations. The guide wheels are preferably mounted at the bottom of the bars below the holders. The track is fixedly mounted and provides a horizontal force to each guide wheel.

Abstract: A glass washing machine for washing and drying glass workpieces incorporates a variety of noise reduction features. These noise reduction features include the use of tight-fitting, sound-reducing panels, a separate blower in a substantially enclosed space, a greater spacing of a washing section from a drying section, isolation mounting of individual air knives, air supply to the individual air knives substantially along their length, concentric air supply pipes leading from the blower and lateral labyrinth type vents in the drying section.

Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing, filling and sealing containers has a sterilization chamber, a cooling chamber, and a filling and sealing chamber, through which the containers are conveyed by means of an endless conveyor device. For presterilizing the chambers before the apparatus is put into operation, these chambers are acted upon by a gaseous sterilizing agent flowing through them, which is fed through an inlet or an outlet for the containers. In order that regions less affected by the flowing sterilizing agent as it flows, because they are in the lee, will also be disinfected well, the flow direction of the sterilizing agent is changed multiple times. A blower with a reversible flow direction is used for this purpose.

Abstract: A system for continuously processing items using supercritical fluid wherein the main process vessel in which the items are cleaned or extracted is continuously pressurized with supercritical fluid. The continuous pressurization of the main process vessel is achieved by using an entry airlock to initially pressurize the item to be processed prior to transport into the main process vessel. An exit airlock is provided to depressurize the item after cleaning or extraction in the main process vessel. The system also provides for pretreatment of the items in the entry airlock prior to processing in the main vessel. Post-treatment may also be provided in the exit airlock when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking a material to be treated into and out of a treating high pressure tank such as a heating sterilization tank comprises a conveyor passage interconnecting the high pressure tank and a water tank and constituted by two or more partially cylindrical casings connected in a side-by-side relation and each rotatably accomodating a rotary closure member having 2 to 6 blades adapted to make a sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. Due to a specific phase difference between the blades of adjacent rotary closure members, the conveyor passage is always closed by some of the blades. A pair of endless conveyor chains, carrying a plurality of treating vessels accomodating the material, are adapted to run along both side surfaces of the conveyor passage through the high pressure tank and the water tank in a timed relation to the rotation of the rotary closure members. Means are provided for returning the leaked liquid back to the high pressure tank from the water tank.

Abstract: A dental film processor for film chips comprises a series of developing, fixing and washing tanks having longitudinally extending moving endless belts disposed above the sides thereof. A towbar provided with side arms has a holder for film chips pivotally coupled to the lower end thereof. The side arms of the towbar are placed on the moving belts with the film holder suspended in the solution of the developing tank and the belts pull the towbar which, in turn, drags the film holder successively through the solution in each tank and over the end wall thereof into the solution of the following tank in the series.