Abstract: A liquid film dust arrester is installed to face a gas flow containing dust and flowing out from a gas discharge pipe. The arrester includes a gas flow blocking unit arranged vis-à-vis the gas flow, a liquid dispersion unit having a dispersion section arranged at a position near the center of the gas flow blocking unit and upstream relative to the gas flow blocking unit as viewed in the flowing direction of the gas flow so as to face the gas flow blocking unit, a liquid ejection unit having an ejection port disposed vis-à-vis the dispersion section and configured to eject liquid from the ejection port, and a liquid film forming unit. The dispersion section comprises a smooth surface that causes the ejected liquid to flow and disperse on the smooth surface, and the liquid film is formed to face the gas flow flowing through the flow path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning chamber is provided. The cleaning chamber has a base portion housing a first chuck, a top portion housing a plurality of cups, and a middle portion functioning as a lid for the base portion and a second chuck for the top portion. A rail couples the top portion and the middle portion, wherein the top portion is rigidly mounted to the rail, while the middle portion is slidably mounted to the rail. A support frame is rigidly mounted to the base portion, the support frame being pivotably affixed to the rail, wherein the rail maintains a vertical alignment between the top portion and the middle portion as the rail pivots.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polycrystalline silicon washing apparatus that sequentially immerses polycrystalline silicon into a plurality of acid baths each of which is filled with an acid to wash the polycrystalline silicon. The temperatures of the acids in the acid baths are set such that the temperature of the acid in a later acid bath of adjacent acid baths is equal to or lower than that of a former acid bath and the temperature of the acid in the last acid bath is lower than that of the acid in the first acid bath. Each of the acid baths is provided with a temperature adjusting unit that controls the temperature of the acid at a constant value.

Abstract: An exemplary cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning member, a connecting member, a drying member, and a workpiece holder. The connecting member includes a main housing defining two opposite surfaces and two blocks received in the main housing. The main housing defines a first chamber and two second chambers communicating with the first chamber, each of the second chambers extending through to one of the two opposite surfaces and near to the other opposite surface. The cleaning member and the drying member are connected to the two opposite surfaces and communicate with each other via the first chamber. The two blocks are movable between the first chamber the second chambers, respectively. Each block defines an engaging surface, facing the other engaging surface. When the blocks move into the first chamber and the engaging surfaces engage with each other, the blocks shut off communication between the cleaning member and the drying member.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus has a cleaning section for cleaning a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer and can be used as a polishing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus includes a first cleaning chamber which houses at least one first cleaning module and two second cleaning modules arranged in a vertical array, a second cleaning chamber which houses two third cleaning modules arranged in a vertical array, and a first transport robot housed in a first transport chamber disposed between the first cleaning chamber and the second cleaning chamber. The first transport robot is configured to transfer substrates between the first cleaning module, the second cleaning modules, and the third cleaning modules.

Abstract: A rapid and effective means for decontaminating fouled oil-control booms is provided. The process involves washing the boom with pressured washing fluid, reorienting the boom to facilitate full inspection, and drying the boom. This can be performed in an assembly-line manner, using one or more conveyors to transport the boom sequentially to a washing area, an inspection area, and a drying area. Consequently, contaminated oil-control booms can be cleaned and redeployed rapidly and inexpensively during an oil release accident.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) to process used materials for input into a manufacturing process. The apparatus includes a housing (10) having a top surface (15) and providing a plurality of chambers arranged in descending order. A series of locations (20) are positioned under said top surface and through which used materials are to pass. Each said location being provided for receipt of a predetermined used material. A descending path (25) extends from each said location and provides for the transfer of used material from the respective location successively through the chambers. The chambers include a sensing chamber (30) downstream of said locations and having sensing means (35) operable to sense the composition of used material located within said sensing chamber. The sensing means being operable to activate an alarm if the used material has been placed by a user in an opening for receipt of a different material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying a fluid such as paint to the surfaces of a plurality of lengths of pipe, the apparatus including an automated processing line composed of a receiving platform configured for receiving the plurality of lengths of pipe, a vat down the line from the receiving platform for containing the fluid, a draining platform down the line from the vat, the draining platform being configured for elevating an end of each length of pipe of the plurality of lengths of pipe relative to an opposite end of the length of pipe, and a conveyor system configured for engaging the plurality of lengths of pipe and advancing the plurality of lengths of pipe through the vat and across the draining platform by rolling.

Abstract: A wet bench system comprising a plurality of sequentially aligned containers. A first rail positioned generally horizontally adjacent a first side of the container and a first arm having a first end moveable on the first rail. A second rail positioned generally horizontally and adjacent a second side of the container and having a second arm having a first end moveable on the second rail. The arms being capable of moving articles to be treated by chemicals in containers by movement in a back and forth leap frog fashion.

Abstract: A drawer guide is provided for a dishwasher or other device through which there is a flow of liquid or gas. The drawer guide has guide rails and at least one rolling member assembly to guide the guide rails in a displaceable manner on another guide rail. A cage is provided for the rolling members. At least one of the guide rails has a rear rail portion with fluid passage openings that allow liquid or gas to flow through the guide rail when the device is in operation. At least one cage for the rolling members of the drawer guide can include a rear cage portion that is provided with fluid passage openings that allow liquid or gas to flow therethrough when the device is in operation.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a washing device constructed by a conveyer of a carrying-in side arranged in a frame, a reservoir lower portion having plural rails for holding the work and an ultrasonic generator arranged in this frame, each reservoir upper portion united with this reservoir lower portion, a raising-lowering device for raising and lowering each reservoir upper portion, an arm mechanism for work conveyance, a moving device for controlling advancing and retreating movements of the arm mechanism, a movable device for controlling a swinging return of the arm mechanism, and a conveyer of a carrying-out side for conveying a processed work. The conveyer and the rail of each reservoir lower portion are approximately arranged on the same face. The work is horizontally moved through this conveyer and the rail and is washed and dried by utilizing the union of each reservoir lower portion and each reservoir upper portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a substrate processing apparatus including a processing tank for processing substrates, a transporting path provided along the processing tank, a substrate transporting device moving along the transporting path for transporting the substrates, wherein the substrate processing apparatus and the substrate transporting device mounted thereto may realize the improvement of the throughput of substrate processing without increasing the area for installing the substrate processing apparatus. There are provided at least two substrate transporting devices that are capable of moving on the identical transporting path. The movable ranges of the respective substrate transporting devices for transporting the substrates are overlapped with respect to each other. When transportation of the substrates is required simultaneously at a plurality of processing tanks in scheduling data prepared by a scheduler, the scheduling data is determined by referencing substrate transportation sharing conditions.

Abstract: The present invention resides in a washing device constructed by a conveyer of a carrying-in side arranged in a frame, a reservoir lower portion having plural rails for holding the work and an ultrasonic generator arranged in this frame, each reservoir upper portion united with this reservoir lower portion, a raising-lowering device for raising and lowering each reservoir upper portion, an arm mechanism for work conveyance, a moving device for controlling advancing and retreating movements of the arm mechanism, a movable device for controlling a swinging return of the arm mechanism, and a conveyer of a carrying-out side for conveying a processed work. The conveyer and the rail of each reservoir lower portion are approximately arranged on the same face. The work is horizontally moved through this conveyer and the rail and is washed and dried by utilizing the union of each reservoir lower portion and each reservoir upper portion.

Abstract: A system for treating, in liquids, a mass-production parts contained in transport baskets, comprising at least one tank which contains liquid for submerging the transport baskets, at least one transport vehicle for the transport baskets by which the transport baskets can be moved over the at least one tank, at least one basket carrier which is arranged at the transport vehicle in such a way that its height is adjustable, which is able to grip a transport basket, submerge same in the tank, rotatingly drive same around an axis and lift same out of the tank, as well as a clamp for securing the basket carrier relative to the at least one tank.

Abstract: A rinsing device having a plurality of rinse modules, each of which has at least one circular turret adapted to transport containers through the rinsing device. The turrets are arranged to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis, the axis being offset from the horizontal by an angle sufficient to ensure drainage of cleaning fluid from the containers under the influence of gravity. The containers are preferably supported around the periphery of the turret with their longitudinal axes parallel to the axis of rotation of the turret.

Abstract: A system for cleaning grates includes a first power wash portion for applying a pressurized wash fluid to a first side of a grate, and a second power wash portion for applying a further pressurized wash fluid to a second side of the grate. A receiving portion, which is detachable from the first power wash portion, receives the grate, and a transport arrangement transports the grate along a grate path through the first and second power wash portions. A grate delivery portion, which is detachable from the second power wash portion to enhance portability and facilitate maneuverability, delivers the grate after it has been transported through the second power wash portion. A grate drive arrangement engages mechanically with the grate and urges same along the grate path from the receiving portion to the first power wash portion.

Abstract: A transport enclosure arranged between a first apparatus and a second apparatus, all located in a clean room, is shielded from the clean room and maintained a degree of cleanliness which is cleaner than that of the clean room. Accordingly, the volume of space within the clean room requiring the highest degree of cleanliness is minimized, thereby reducing overall costs.

Abstract: A transport enclosure arranged between a first apparatus and a second apparatus, all located in a clean room, is shielded from the clean room and maintained a degree of cleanliness which is cleaner than that of the clean room. Accordingly, the volume of space within the clean room requiring the highest degree of cleanliness is minimized, thereby reducing overall costs.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cleaning filters, the cleaning is efficiently performed by selecting cleaning steps according to the degree of contamination of the filter media. The degree of contamination of the filter media is analyzed before the filter is carried into the cleaning apparatus. Filters with heavily contaminated filter media are subjected to pretreatment before the cleaning process is performed, and the filters with less contaminated filter media are directly subjected to the cleaning process. The cleaned filter is subjected to a restoration process before reuse.

Abstract: An acid pickling tank 11 is filled with an acid liquid L, and a lid 12 is attached to the acid pickling tank 11. A central part of the lid 12 is depressed downwards to form a covering portion 12b. The covering portion 12b is located at a lower position than the liquid level of the acid liquid L in the acid pickling tank 11 to cover a free surface of the acid liquid L. Immersion guide rolls 20a to 20e are provided on the covering portion 12b, support blocks 21a to 21e are provided at the bottom of the acid pickling tank 11, and skids 23a to 23e are provided on the support blocks 21a to 21e via a bottom plate 22. Thus, the free surface of the acid liquid L in the acid pickling tank 11 is decreased to suppress a loss of the acid, and prevent an overflow of the acid liquid L to the outside of the tank, thereby making acid pickling of the strip steel plate S efficient.

Abstract: Apparatus for washing a cored head of lettuce includes a lettuce head guide that fits into the cored hole of a cored lettuce head; the guide is attached to a support that has an opening through which the guide projects, and, beneath the guide, a system that delivers a wash spray into the cored hole.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is used to carry substrates processed in an etching process and provides a guiding member to shelter and protect substrates from being dampened by droplets. The apparatus comprises spaced chucks connected to a substrate holder with two arms, respectively. The guiding member is a roof plate disposed under the chucks and abutted against the arms, so that the guiding member can induce the droplets falling from the chucks to flow to the arms. The substrates can be effectively kept dry and clean.

Abstract: A basket for cleaning semiconductor wafers is provided which can catch semiconductor wafers or semiconductor pieces slipping off from a slicing plate so as to prevent them from dropping, and which can hold semiconductor wafers even after the wafers are separated from the slicing plate in a cleaning step.The basket for cleaning semiconductor wafers, includes:at least two upstanding side walls on which ends of a slicing plate are to be respectively placed; at least two side holding rods which are substantially horizontally disposed between side portions of the sidewalls 21, 22, the side holding rods 31, 32 being separated from each other by a distance which is slightly larger than diameters of semiconductor wafers to be housed in the basket; a bottom plate which is formed between lower portions of the side walls; and two clamping rods which are horizontally movable along the side holding rods, thereby the semiconductor wafers sliced on the slicing plate are clamped by moving the clamping rods 51, 52.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a reusable container includes the steps of (1) pre-rinsing the container with a pre-rinse fluid; (2) chemically cleaning the container; (3) post-rinsing the container with a post-rinse fluid; (4) introducing a contaminate indicator into the container prior to the step of post-rinsing; and (5) testing the post-rinse fluid for the presence of the contaminate indicator during at least a portion of the post-rinsing step. A number of alternative embodiments employ various contaminate indicators which may be introduced into the container at various points during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A method of washing substrates arranged at a substantially equal pitch internal in a cassette which includes steps of (a) transferring the substrates to a holder a pitch interval narrower than the arrangement pitch interval in said cassette; (b) supplying a washing solution into a processing bath; (c) conveying the holder holding the substrates into the processing bath; (d) dipping the substrates in the washing solution in the processing bath to wash the substrates; and (e) supplying a rinse solution into the processing bath to substitute the washing solution with the rinse solution to rinse the substrates in the processing bath.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a razor blade includes steps for removing oil, dirt and grinding debris from a metal surface by providing a plurality of wash, rinse and dry stations separated to prevent contamination carryover from one station to the next. Razor blades in stacks are passed through the stations, the stacked blades being mounted on rods supported by a fixture and the nozzles or jets within the machine being so oriented as to cause a riffling of the blades due to water or air pressure. A purified water rinse and preferably an aqueous cleaning solution are employed in the method and are circulated through the stations by a flow system which provides efficient and economical usage of the cleaning solution and rinse materials.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning the flue gases in flue-gas desulphurization installations by spraying a lime suspension into the gases, the device having a conical wall (2) disposed in the direction of flow of the liquid which is sprayed into the flue gases.

Abstract: A substrate washing apparatus includes a bath, a washing solution supply source, a first path for allowing the washing solution overflowing from the bath, a rinse solution supply source, a second path for passing the rinse solution, a common path communicating with the first and second paths and also with a bottom of the bath, a first valve, a second valve, a discharge path branched from the first path, and a control section, wherein the first valve includes a first body for opening/closing the first path, a third path arranged parallel to the first path and having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the first path, and a second body for opening/closing the third path, so that the first body is opened and the second body is closed, to allow the washing solution to flow into the bath, and on the other hand, the first body is closed, the second body is opened, to allow the rinse solution to flow into the bath, and the washing solution remaining in the first and third paths is discharged together with the rins

Abstract: The invention provides a transportable reaction chamber for continuous biological and chemical decontamination of articles by means of a mixture of hot air and steam. The reaction chamber has a tunnel shaped reaction section through which the contaminated articles are transported on a conveyor and through which a mixture of decontaminant gases is circulated. An exhaust blower situated at an end of the reaction section, and transverse flow units along its length, provide both transverse and longitudinal gas flow in the reaction section.

Abstract: A stand for suspension of footwear during treatment, such as washing disinfecting, blacking, impregnating and drying, wherein the stand has a piping system provided with jets for the secure retention of the footwear as well as internal washing and disinfecting thereof. The footwear is placed down onto the nozzle pipe (6) and is washed internally as detergent and disinfectant, respectively, are supplied to the stand's piping system and are sprayed out through the holes in the nozzle pipes. The stand is preferably used in a facility for treatment of footwear where the function of the stand is both to permit internal washing and disinfecting of the footwear and to hold the footwear in place during the external treatment.

Abstract: Oil quenched works are immersed in water at a temperature of 75.degree. C. while the works are maintained at a temperature of not lower than 100.degree. C. In the step of immersing the works in water, the water boils on the surfaces of the works to remove most quenching oil from the surface of the works. A part of oil removed from the works is caused to overflow from the upper portion of a water bath and exhausted therefrom. In the step of immersing the works in water, the works are retained at a temperature suited for an alkaline cleaner. After having been taken out of the water, the works are cleaned in a step of showering water. A step of immersing the works in the alkaline cleaner is performed before the temperature of the works becomes lower than 60.degree.C. The alkaline cleaner used in the step of immersing the works in the alkaline cleaner is maintained at a temperature of 70.degree. C..+-.5.degree. C. In this range of the temperature, quenching oil is continuously removed stably for a long time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to central reactor apparatus for applying cleaning treatments to plates such as regularly-shaped flat parts e.g. semiconductor media as used for making integrated circuits, or optical disks, etc. . . . The apparatus comprises a chamber including side walls, an end wall, an opening through a front plate facing said end wall, support means enabling a plurality of parts to be supported, means for injecting treatment fluids, closure means for closing said chamber, and discharge means for discharging said fluids, thereby enabling said parts to be treated by means of said fluids and subsequently enabling the chamber to be emptied. Said means for supporting the parts is secured to the closure means and is constituted by two side combs which are articulated on links enabling the combs to be tilted apart from each other to enable said parts to pass between them, and then to be tilted towards each other so that they engage beneath the parts and support them inside said chamber.

Abstract: A method for removing exterior material from vials following a serpentine path through various steps of cleaning and drying. The movement of the vials may be limited to a predetermined path formed as an elongated opening in a sheet of material. The sheet may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The vials are rotated as they move along the path which may be accomplished by slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal wave. Changing the sheet can alter the number of straight path segments and thus the overall path of the vials through the equipment. The cleaning of the vials may include a washing with detergent, water rinsing, and air and vacuum drying. Air is drawn through the paths to produce a completely dry product. Liquid is removed from the vials' bottoms by a vacuum underneath the paths.

Abstract: A vial washer in which the vials follow a serpentine path through several stages of cleaning. A sheet having the serpentine path in the form of an elongated slot guides the vials through their washing. Conveyor belts moving in opposite directions underneath the elongated slot move the vials in the directions through the equipment. The conveyor belts have an open grid allow for the passage of the cleaning liquids through them. The sheet with the cut-out slot may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The cleaning may include one or more stages of a detergent wash, water rinse, and air and vacuum drying. Slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot will cause the vials to rotate so that all sides become clean.

Abstract: An improved stereolithographic apparatus and method is described. In one embodiment, the improvement includes immersing at least a portion of a part in a volume of a liquid solvent in a vapor degreaser while subjecting the portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin. Several examples of solvents are provided, including ethanol, and Freon TMS. In a second embodiment, the improvement includes building the part on a layer of liquid resin supported by a volume of a dense, immiscible, and UV transparent intermediate liquid, and integratably immersing at least a portion of the built part in the intermediate liquid, and then either subjecting the immersed portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin, or subjecting the immersed portion to UV light. Several examples of intermediate liquids are provided, including perfluorinated fluids, such as Fluorinert FC-40, and water-based salt solutions, such as solutions of magnesium sulfate or sodium chloride in water.

Abstract: An improved stereolithographic apparatus and method is described. In one embodiment, the improvement includes immersing at least a portion of a part in a volume of a liquid solvent in a vapor degreaser while subjecting the portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin. Several examples of solvents are provided, including ethanol, and Freon TMS. In a second embodiment, the improvement includes building the part on a layer of liquid resin supported by a volume of a dense, immiscible, and UV transparent intermediate liquid, and integratably immersing at least a portion of the built part in the intermediate liquid, and then either subjecting the immersed portion to ultrasonic agitation to substantially remove excess resin, or subjecting the immersed portion to UV light. Several examples of intermediate liquids are provided, including perfluorinated fluids, such as Fluorinert FC-40, and water-based salt solutions, such as solutions of magnesium sulfate or sodium chloride in water.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying article carriers (11) through a series of processing stations (T) in the form of tanks into which articles supported by the carriers are to be dipped has a row of lifting devices (13A-13H), each including an article carrier support (17) which defines a section of a horizontal processing track along which the article carriers (11) are movable in succession. The article carrier supports (17) are individually displaceable vertically between an upper position and a lower position (dipping position). When adjacent article carrier supports (17) are simultaneously in the upper position, an article carrier on one of the article carrier supports can be fed over to the other. A sensor (K) triggers lowering of said other article carrier support to the lower position in response to the reception of the article carrier by that article carrier support.

Abstract: A wafer transporting device for transposing and transferring wafers charged in at least two first carriers to second carriers, including a wafer holding device provided with a holder for holding the wafers which are removed from the first carriers and a wafer transferring device for removing the wafers charged in the first carriers by one stroke, thereby improving the working efficiency in a semiconductor manufacturing system.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning/deburring manufactured parts, each part having an established axis of rotation, includes a conveyor operable to convey the parts in succession in intermittent step-by-step movement to a cleaning/deburring station and a drying station. At each of the cleaning/deburring and drying stations the part is driven in high speed rotation about its axis by a part rotating device. At the cleaning/deburring station the rotating part is sprayed with high pressure fluid and at the drying station high velocity air is discharged tangentially against the rotating part to strip residual fluid from the part. The spray nozzle assembly can be stationary, or can take the form of a transversing assembly for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal length of the part. Additionally, the transversing assembly can include rotation of the nozzle assembly about an axis as the nozzles are reciprocated longitudinally.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning manufactured parts, each part having an established axis of rotation, includes a conveyor operable to convey the parts in succession in intermittant step-by-step movement to a cleaning station and a drying station. At each of the cleaning and drying stations the part is driven in rotation about its axis by a part rotating device. At the cleaning station the rotating part is sprayed with cleaning fluid and at the drying station air is discharged tangentially against the rotating part to strip residal cleaning fluid from the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a workpiece by a pre-treatment process before painting or for a washing process in an electrodeposition treatment. The workpiece is transferred through a series of treating zones. The apparatus has a plurality of hanger disposed on the right and left sides relative to the advanceing direction of the workpiece, a pair of hanger travelling rails, a hanger carrying mechanism and a plurality of hanger lifting assemblies disposed on the right and left sides of the advancing direction. Each rail consists of fixed rail portions and movable rail portions. Right and left lifting assemblies are controlled in cooperation, simultaneously or alternately, to move the hangers up and down allowing the workpiece to tilt or oscillate within the treating zone.

Abstract: A work transfer system conveying a work basket in a programmed sequence to the processing tanks of an assembly thereof at various positions on a work bench. The system acts to transfer the basket to a selected tank and to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before lowering the basket therein for processing for a given dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted from the tank and transferred to another tank where the procedure is repeated. Running parallel to the front side of the bench is a rail on which a robot rides, the robot supporting a hoist carriage which can be raised or lowered. Cantilevered from the carriage is a main arm articulated by an elbow shaft to a forearm that extends over the bench. The forearm is joined by a hand shaft depending therefrom to a hand that engages the handle of the work basket. A main arm motor acts to rotate the elbow shaft and thereby swing the forearm to a position generally aligning the basket with a selected tank therebelow.

Abstract: A vapor drying apparatus for semiconductor wafers, which is capable of preventing dust particles from entering the interior of the vapor drying apparatus incorporating therein a water washing part and a vapor drying part for a semiconductor wafer and, at the same time, thoroughly removing from the surface of a vapor dried semiconductor wafer the vapor cleaner adhering in the form of film or in a molecular thickness to the surface of an organic substance contained in the cleaner thereby bring the surface of the semiconductor wafer to an ideally cleaned and dried state.

Abstract: An arch-like body member includes conduit means and is of a dimension to allow a vehicle to move therethrough. The arch is associated with acidic and alkaline detergent supplies as well as a rinse, and controls are provided to sequentially apply the acidic detergent, the alkaline detergent, and the rinse. The system may also employ three arches having respective association with the acidic detergent supply, the alkaline detergent supply, and the rinse.

Abstract: A work transfer system conveying a work basket in a programmed sequence to the processing tanks of an assembly thereof placed at various positions on a work bench. The system acts to transfer the basket to a selected tank and to properly orient the basket with respect to this tank before lowering the basket therein for processing during a given dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted from the tank and transferred to another tank where the procedure is repeated. Running along the front of the bench is a rail on which a robot is driven to a position in the proximity of the selected tank, the robot supporting a hoist which can be raised or lowered. Cantilevered from the hoist and extending transversely across the bench is a hollow arm having a trolley therein provided with a turntable whose spindle projects upwardly to join the upper end of a loop which encircles the arm, the loop being provided at its lower end with a hand that engages the work basket.

Abstract: A mechanized work transfer system in which a robot assembly riding on a horizontal rail and driven by an external motor acts to convey a basket carrying work along a row of processing stages on a work bench. The assembly includes a robot provided with an elevator operated by an internal motor which serves to lower the basket at each stage on the work bench and to deposit it into a processing tank for a predetermined dwell period, after which the basket is hoisted out of the tank and transferred to another stage where the procedure is repeated. To render the assembly substantially immune to corrosive vapors emanating from the tanks, the robot housing is sectioned into left and right compartments, the left compartment being reserved for those moving and stationary components which can be fabricated of corrosion-resistant materials.

Abstract: An automatic work transfer system for conveying a basket carrying work through a row of processing stages at a work station in any desired sequence. The basket is lowered into a tank at each stage and oriented therein for processing for a predetermined dwell period, at the conclusion of which the basket is hoisted out of the tank and transferred to the next stage where the procedure is repeated. The system includes a supporting rail laterally displaced from the row of stages and parallel thereto. Riding on the rail is a robot provided with a pair of vertical shafts supported on an elevator. Cantilevered from the shafts are a pair of arms which extend over the stages, the ends of the arms being pivotally connected to a cross piece. Depending from the center of the cross piece is a rod terminating in a hand adapted to engage the handle of the basket.

Abstract: An apparatus for dipping plating objects such as IC lead frame of a rectangular shape obtained by press forming and etching thin metal pieces, wherein a plural number of said rectangular sheets aligned and supported on the freely descending and returning rack base of the support carriage of the objects to be plated are concurrently subjected to dipping plating by determining the position of the said plural number of rectangular sheets to be plated for lowering into the plating tanks, and abutting the upper surface of the objects to be plated with the holding means thereby subjecting a plural number of objects to be plated.

Abstract: A device for cleaning can ends made in the form of a flat circular member having a number of high pressure fluid orifices disposed in a circle on one flat face of the member and connected internally to a high pressure air inlet. Alternating with the orifices are a number of through-bores which serve as exhaust ports.

Abstract: A plant for the continuous surface treatment of work pieces comprises a plurality of treatment chambers arranged one behind the other and tightly connected to one another; each treatment chamber is movable transversely to the direction of transportation of the work pieces and at least part of the internal equipment provided in the treatment chambers is removable in longitudinal direction, i.e. parallel relative to the direction of transportation of the work pieces.