Wiping Patents (Class 15/97.1)
  • Patent number: 8424483
    Abstract: A paint edging apparatus includes a body having front and rear ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the body receiving a paint reservoir for supplying paint to an applicator portion of the apparatus, the body including a handle extending rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An urging mechanism selectively engages the paint reservoir to discharge paint therefrom. A vibrator mounted to the body and operatively connected to the paint applicator portion of the apparatus imparts an oscillatory motion to the paint applicator. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the handle for activating the vibrator, wherein a user can move the apparatus over a work surface to apply paint to the work surface and also pivot the trigger at the same time by grasping the handle with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Depingo, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Ling, Britt K. Norton, Jason Gerold
  • Patent number: 8418305
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8408157
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus for painting a work surface including a handle housing. A disposable painting module is configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. The painting module includes a paint applicator configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. The paint applicator is configured to apply paint to the work surface. A paint reservoir is fluidly coupled with the paint applicator and is configured to be removably engaged with the handle housing. An urging mechanism is coupled to the handle housing and configured to interact with the paint reservoir to substantially uniformly discharge the paint from the paint reservoir and supply the paint to the paint applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Depingo, LLC
    Inventor: Jeremy Ling
  • Patent number: 8402587
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool includes a holder, cleaner, and cap. The holder includes, a cylindrical slider, a cylindrical body which is rotatable and movable in the axial direction with respect to the slider, and a slider return spring which biases the body forward to return the slider to the initial position. The slider has a pair of elastic pieces having guide projections. In the outer circumferential surface of the body, spiral grooves with which the guide projections engage are formed within the angular range of 360°. When the slider moves forward, the body rotates by the cam action of the guide projections and spiral grooves. The cleaner includes, a cleaning thread accommodated in a rotary pod, a supply reel, a take-up reel, and a cleaning pin, and is connected to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: NTT Advanced Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Sugita, Mieko Tsubamoto, Masaaki Konishi, Masaru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8402588
    Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Harris, Ann Marie Przepasniak, Jeremy F. Knopow
  • Patent number: 8387632
    Abstract: A camera apparatus (1) includes: a CCD (2) serving as an imaging device; a cleaning member (3) for performing cleaning of the front face of the CCD (2); and a cleaning controller (13) for controlling the movement of the cleaning member (3). Cleaning control is carried out so that when the cleaning of the CCD (2) is started, the cleaning member (3) is moved to a cleaning position located in front of and in proximity to the CCD (2), and when the cleaning of the CCD (2) is finished, the cleaning member (3) is moved to a retracted position retracted from the cleaning position. The camera apparatus itself is provided with the function of cleaning the imaging device, thereby enabling reduction in time and effort for a cleaning operation performed on the imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Saito, Hajime Matsumoto, Tetsurou Kajino, Haruo Kogane, Jyouji Wada
  • Patent number: 8388414
    Abstract: A method, according to one embodiment, includes forming a lubricant film on a magnetic disk having at least a magnetic recording film above a substrate, and a protective film above the magnetic recording film, and wiping the lubricant film while rotating the substrate, e.g., at about 3.0 m/s to about 3.5 m/s by pressing a pad against a wiping cloth e.g., at a loading speed of about 12 mm/min to about 36 mm/min e.g., under a pressure of about 3 gf/mm2 to about 9 gf/mm2. The pad has a convexly curved surface in contact with the wiping cloth, and the wiping cloth is disposed so as to oppose the lubricant film. The method also includes pressing a cleaning tape which includes abrasive grains against the substrate on which the protective film and lubricant film are formed while rotating the substrate to remove protrusions. Apparatuses and forming the layers are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: HGST Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Naoto Endou, Mitsuhiro Shoda, Toshinori Ono, Hiroyuki Matsumoto, Fumihito Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130048021
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. The method initiates with applying an activation solution to a surface of the substrate. The activation solution and the surface of the substrate are contacted with a surface of a solid cleaning surface. The activation solution is absorbed into a portion of the solid cleaning element and then the substrate or the solid cleaning surface is moved relative to each other to clean the surface of the substrate. A method for cleaning the surface of the substrate with a solid cleaning element that experiences plastic deformation is also provided. Corresponding cleaning apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Erik M. Freer, John deLarios, Katrina Mikhaylichenko, Michael Ravkin, Mikhail Korolik, Fred C. Redeker
  • Publication number: 20130048018
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a CMP brush that has a combination of central nodules at an inner region of the brush and one or more edge nodules at an end region of the brush where the central nodules and edge nodules are in a staggered or matched arrangement with each other and an upper surface of each edge nodule on the brush has the same or a greater contact area than an upper surface of a central nodule. The area of contact of the upper surface of each edge nodule with the substrate edge region is the same or greater than the area of contact of the upper surface of a central nodule with the substrate center region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: ENTEGRIS, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Wargo, Rakesh Kumar Singh, David Trio, Eric McNamara
  • Patent number: 8381344
    Abstract: A motorized deposit removal system with a pivoting rotary head has a generally rigid tubular housing with a power source located on a first end. The power source has a speed control unit. The system has a drive assembly with a drive cable and a cable housing located within the tubular housing. The power source rotates the drive cable freely inside the cable housing. The system has a hollow pivoting member located on a tubular housing second end. The pivoting member is able to be fixed at a specific angle. A rotary head attaching member is located on the pivoting member. The head attaching member is operatively attached to the drive cable. The drive assembly passes through the hollow pivoting member. The drive assembly is flexible for allowing for pivoting of the pivoting member. The system has a head attachment located on the head attaching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Mickey Bergman, Bob Wyndle
  • Patent number: 8375888
    Abstract: A doctor blade assembly for use in combination with apparatus for forming a film on a substrate. The doctor blade assembly includes a doctor blade to be mounted on a programmable robot. The doctor blade has a bottom face and spacers at opposite ends of the body of the doctor blade extending a predetermined distance down below the bottom face of the body for contacting a substrate and spacing the bottom face from the substrate. The spacers are adjustable relative to the doctor blade for adjusting the predetermined distance according to the thickness of film to be formed on the substrate. Other aspects and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Mark Lambert, Dennis Mullins, Cuong Manh Ta, Peter Wing Leung
  • Patent number: 8372207
    Abstract: A one handed hand washer/scrubber is provided enclosed in a self contained, counter placeable housing having an entry orifice at one side for insertion of a user's hand. A sensor monitors the entry orifice for detection of a user's hand accessing a washing cavity within the housing. Two scrubbing web assemblies are housed within the washing cavity, each having a proximal stepper motor placed near the entry orifice, opposite a second stepper motor spaced distally therefrom. Each stepper motor attaches to and supports a sanitizer, disinfectant, soap or cleanser soaked web draped between, and are used to dispense a new section of web for each subsequent use and to reciprocate a working section of web front to back (or back and forth) during use. A series of foam rollers align the rear of the working section of web. The rollers are spring urged to allow for intimate contact of the web against the variable contours of a users hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Julie Shields
  • Patent number: 8369473
    Abstract: A method for the surface tribological decontamination of nuclear fuel rods automates surface wiping by one or more bands of fabric. The band is distant from the axis of the rod, the rod is placed facing the band, and then the band is tensioned around the surface of the rod and moved. The rod may be immobile, moved in pure translation along its axis or with a wide-step helical movement. Preferably, the decontamination is carried by two bands simultaneously, so as to cover the total surface in one pass of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Areva NC
    Inventors: Alain Dictor, Marc Fischer
  • Patent number: 8343434
    Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8332984
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for printed circuit board. The cleaning apparatus includes a base, a clamping plate fixed to the base, at least one holding member, at least one cleaning roller, and a driving mechanism. The holding member is elastically supported on the base. The at least one cleaning roller is pivotably disposed on the at least one holding member respectively. The cleaning roller includes a cleaning layer attached to a surface of the cleaning roller. The clamping plate is opposite to and departs from the cleaning roller at a distance. The driving mechanism is coupled to the cleaning roller and configured for driving the cleaning roller to rotate. The cleaning apparatus can clean printed circuit board high efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Zhen Ding Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tso-Hung Yeh, Hung-Yi Chang, Chih-Lung Hsiao, Cheng-Hsien Lin
  • Patent number: 8317575
    Abstract: An implement for cleaning mineral ring build up in a toilet bowl. The inventive device is an attachment driven by a cordless drill. It consists of a ball covered with a non abrasive material attached to a shaft which rotates the ball to remove mineral ring build up on toilet bowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Charles Neil Carr
  • Patent number: 8312585
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning a driver used in a disk drive manufacturing process. The cleaning device includes: a body; a replaceable cleaning pad mounted in the body; and a cover mounted to the body over the cleaning pad, in which, the cover includes an opening to receive the driver and to expose a portion of the cleaning pad to receive and clean the driver. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning pad rotation mechanism mounted in the body that connects to the cleaning pad and rotates the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the cleaning pad such that an unused portion of the cleaning pad is exposed to the opening for receipt of the driver and the cleaning pad rotation mechanism may be activated to rotate the cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Albert Tarrant
  • Patent number: 8302243
    Abstract: A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer R. Harris, Ann Marie Przepasniak, Jeremy F. Knopow
  • Publication number: 20120264357
    Abstract: A game ball surface treatment apparatus for abrading, cleaning or polishing game balls includes an outer housing having a base portion and a side wall portion, an inner housing arranged within the outer housing and having a bottom portion and a circumferential wall portion extending upwards from the bottom portion, a damper arranged to interconnect the outer housing and the inner housing, an electric motor fixed to the bottom portion of the inner housing and having an output shaft extending upwards, a rotary disc fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor to support the game balls and provided with an abrading fabric making contact with the game balls, an impeller arranged above the rotary disc to accommodate the game balls in a mutually isolated state, and a lining attached to the circumferential wall portion of the inner housing to make contact with the game balls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Sang-Bae SHIM
  • Patent number: 8277922
    Abstract: A stem web is disclosed that comprises a backing layer having a first surface and a second surface, and an array of 600 to 20000 upstanding stems projecting from the first surface of the backing. The stems comprise a height from 0.3 and 2.0 millimeters and a shore hardness less than 90A. In one embodiment, the stem web further comprises a reinforcing layer secured to the second surface. In one embodiment, the stem web is secured to a tool to be passed across a surface to be cleaned to capture lint and hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, James J. Kobe, Leon Levitt
  • Patent number: 8276538
    Abstract: A paint edging apparatus includes a body having front and rear ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the body receiving a paint reservoir for supplying paint to an applicator portion of the apparatus, the body including a handle extending rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An urging mechanism selectively engages the paint reservoir to discharge paint therefrom. A vibrator mounted to the body and operatively connected to the paint applicator portion of the apparatus imparts an oscillatory motion to the paint applicator. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the handle for activating the vibrator, wherein a user can move the apparatus over a work surface to apply paint to the work surface and also pivot the trigger at the same time by grasping the handle with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Depingo, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy J. Ling, Britt K. Norton, Jason Gerold
  • Patent number: 8276231
    Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., Jerry Mix, Dennis Boyle, Rickson Sun, Christopher Loew, Pascal Homero Soboll, Daniel Sung-hwe Kim
  • Patent number: 8276233
    Abstract: Multi-directional wiping elements are disclosed. The wiping elements comprise intersecting squeegee segments that provide top wiping squeegee edges and side wiping squeegee edges. Devices utilizing the multi-directional wiping elements of the present invention can include bristles that are configured to simultaneously wipe a working surface with the wiping elements. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the multi-directional wiping elements are utilized in a toothbrush cleaning head that is configured to be operated manually or, alternatively, is motorized and is configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate and/or move according to a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., Jerry Mix, Dennis Boyle, Rickson Sun, Christopher Loew, Pascal Homero Soboll, Daniel Sung-hwe Kim
  • Patent number: 8266755
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning device which cleans a connecting terminal surface formed inside an insertion hole of an optical connector, by wiping the connecting terminal surface with a cleaning body, the optical connector cleaning device including: a main body including a feeding mechanism which supplies and wraps up the cleaning body; an extending part which extends from the main body and includes an extending tube body and a head part, the head part being inserted into the insertion hole, wherein the head part includes a tip extending part which presses the cleaning body to the connecting terminal surface; the extending tube body includes a tube base part and a tip tube part, the tip tube part being energized in an extending direction with respect to the tube base part; the tip extending part protrudes from a tip of the tip tube part; and the tip extending part is flexible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Nakane, Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8261395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld, motorized cleaning device, comprising a removable rotary cleaning element, a fluid soap reservoir, an electric motor with drive means and a handle having an interior storage for battery power. The handle separates into segments to align a series of batteries, while its working end comprises a refillable reservoir of cleaning solution that is adapted to operate with a plurality of independent cleaning elements, without discharging and refilling between elements. An aperture along the base of the reservoir communicates cleaning solution through the cleaning element to develop lather while the cleaning element is rotated by the electric motor and drive means. The aperture opening is controlled by a rotational slide gate means at the base of the reservoir. In use, the cleaning element is placed in contact with a surface to physically remove built-up dirt and debris, while the soap further breaks down tougher grime and grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Wilfrid Lazarre
  • Patent number: 8261396
    Abstract: The present invention is a ceiling fan cleaning apparatus comprising a roller cleaner (20) enveloping a central hub (22) and rotatable with respect to the central hub (22), the central hub (22) attached at one end to an elongated member (10), and a first pulley (32) connected fixedly to one end of the roller cleaner (20) and such that rotation of the first pulley (32) causes an equal rotation of the roller cleaner (20), and a second pulley (34) located close to a second end of the elongated member (10) and a chain (36) connecting the first and second pulleys (32, 34). A hand crank (38) is connected to the second pulley (34) so that a user is able to rotate the roller cleaner (20) by turning the hand crank (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Thye Hin Chew
  • Patent number: 8245351
    Abstract: A steam pad for use with a steam mop is provided. The fabric steam pad comprises at least one cleaning fabric layer, and a corresponding layer of fabric where the fabric layers are joined around the perimeter. The fabric steam pad has at least one fastener band secured to the mesh fabric in a position to correspond to at least one fastener anchored on the steam mop frame and increased structural stability of the pad to avoid buckling of the fabric at the edges. A warp knit mesh layer may be disposed on the fabric surface opposed to the cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Mark Rosenzweig, Maximilian Rosenzweig, Ognjen Vrdoljak
  • Patent number: 8234740
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly (2) for an optical device (16) includes a shaft (14) configured for supporting the optical device within an enclosure (4) that is adapted for rotation about the shaft. At least one first sealing element (18) is disposed between the shaft and a mating surface of the enclosure for preventing fluid leakage therethrough. At least one optically transparent window (8) is mounted in association with the enclosure (4), and at least one cleaning element (9, 11) is coupled to the shaft for cleaning a surface of the window (8). The cleaning assembly may include a moisture barrier in the form of a pressure-influenced member (58) such as a bellows (40) having a body of expandable and retractable-volume for containing air that diffuses therein, while equalizing pressure on opposite sides of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Yefim Kereth
  • Patent number: 8225447
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a dovetail in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, at least two pads for treating, cleaning or polishing a dovetail surface, at least a pair of guide wheels for aligning the apparatus within the dovetail, and at least one motor connected to the pads. The motor is operatively configured to rotate the pads. The dovetail surface is treated, cleaned or polished by sliding the apparatus along the dovetail and activating the motor to rotate the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dwight F. Calkins, Jr., Steven S. Mounnarat
  • Patent number: 8220098
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle (11) and a wheel (13) rotatably mounted to the handle and the wheel having a plurality of scrubbing elements (74). Pressurized fluid enters the apparatus and a fluid flow director (16) delivers the fluid to the scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Different types of treatment material dispensing systems (100) are operable position a flow director to spin a dispenser of treatment material, or to position a dispenser in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements, to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20120167317
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus is provided. The floor cleaning apparatus includes a roller arrangement for carrying rolls of soiled and unsoiled cleaning media thereon. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes an actuation arrangement operable to simultaneously unwind unsoiled cleaning media and wind soiled cleaning media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Fernando Garcia
  • Patent number: 8206514
    Abstract: A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Ivera Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Bobby E. Rogers, Paul Diperna
  • Publication number: 20120149208
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate support unit configured to support a substrate by fixing the substrate from a back surface side of a surface to be processed; and a substrate processing unit in which a pad into which a predetermined liquid is soaked is arranged and which performs a substrate process on the surface to be processed of the substrate with the liquid. The surface to be processed of the substrate is brought into contact with the liquid on the pad surface by bringing the surface to be processed of the substrate close to a side of the pad, without rotating the substrate and the pad, to perform a substrate process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takahito NAKAJIMA
  • Publication number: 20120137456
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus to clean leather items, including removal of dirt stains, grass stains, and scuff marks, including, but not limited to, baseballs, softballs, footballs and shoes. The apparatus holds a removable hollow barrel-shaped container in which the items to be cleaned are placed, along with pieces of a rubber or gummy material. The apparatus revolves the container so the mixture of rubber pieces and items to be cleaned mix together, the erratic motion of the eraser material buffing the items clean. A straining element in the barrel allows a user to separate the items being cleaned from the rubber material and removed debris by standing the barrel on its end, after which a user opens a door in the barrel above the strainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Michael A. Welsh, Samuel S. Welsh
  • Patent number: 8191197
    Abstract: The non-permanent marker board eraser apparatus provides a basic design and construction that exposes minimal moving parts to erasure debris. The two-spaced apart horizontal guide rails are u-shaped and open outwardly. The vertical traveling eraser sections are motor powered and provide for drive from either upper first guide rail or the lower second guide rail via a rubberized wheel that fits within either of the two guide rails. The control buttons provide for selective eraser marker board contact. Each board travel is accompanied by automatic eraser return to a rest position outside of or to the edge of the board's marking surface. Cleaning fluid is also dispensed through the erasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael J. Hunsucker
  • Publication number: 20120131756
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for self-cleaning a door handle (4) by utilising the kinetic energy of opening a door (1). A cable (3), for example a multi-link chain, fixed to the door frame (2) and a gear assembly (10, 11, 12) is provided such that linear displacement of said cable is converted to potential energy in response to movement of said door. The invention provides a means for rotating a drive roller (5) to co-operate with the door handle to clean said door handle, only when the door handle is released and the door is closing or closed. The potential energy provides the energy to enable the rotation of the drive roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SMART HYGIENE LIMITED
    Inventors: Daragh Gilsenan, John Gleeson
  • Publication number: 20120103363
    Abstract: Printers and apparatus to clean printer surfaces are disclosed. An example apparatus to clean a surface in a printer includes an endless cleaning material loop and an advancer to advance the cleaning material loop when the loop is not engaged with the surface and to not advance the loop when the loop is engaged with the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Gene D. Jones, Kenneth Williams, Jeffrey R. Blackman
  • Publication number: 20120097187
    Abstract: There is disclosed a cleaning apparatus for a radiation source assembly in a fluid treatment system. The cleaning system comprises: a cleaning carriage comprising at least one cleaning element for contact with at least a portion of the exterior of the radiation source assembly; a rodless cylinder comprising an elongate housing having a first longitudinal axis; a slidable element disposed on an exterior surface of the elongate housing; and an elongate motive element coupled to the driving element. The slidable element is: (i) coupled to the cleaning carriage, and (ii) magnetically coupled to a driving element disposed within the elongate housing. The elongate motive element has a second longitudinal axis that is oriented in a substantially parallel, non-coaxial relationship with respect to the first longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Trojan Technologies
    Inventors: Douglas Penhale, Joseph Elku, Ryan Moffatt, George Traubenberg
  • Patent number: 8151396
    Abstract: After a liquid sample between a sample-holding platform 11 and a window plate 22 is measured, a window plate holder 23 is raised, and a head 14 is moved from a standby position into the gap between the window plate 22 and the sample-holding platform 11. Then, the window plate holder 23 is lowered so as to press the window plate 22 onto the head 14 until the head 14 touches the sample-holding platform 11 below. Then the head 14 is swung back to the original position, whereby a wipe material 40 fitted on the head 14 simultaneously wipes off the liquid sample from both the lower surface of the window plate 22 and the upper surface of the sample-holding platform 11. Pressing the arch springs 35 enables the wipe material 40 to be easily attached to or detached from the head 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Ikeda, Takashi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8146194
    Abstract: The present invention is a buffer device that is designed and configured to successfully and adequately buff and polish any desired surface without causing fatigue for the user, as well as without creating any swirl marks. In order to provide for such a product, the present invention comprises a frame having a cylindrical body secured thereto. A motor is coupled to the cylindrical body to provide for the body to rotate about a normally horizontal axis that is parallel to the desired surface to be buffed, polished, and cleaned or the like. Secured to the cylindrical body is a buffing/cleaning pad fabricated from a conventional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Farrell
  • Patent number: 8146195
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a case. A collection box is located in the case and the collection box includes an entrance with a door pivotally sealing the door. Two cleaning disks are connected to an underside of the case and driven by two gears connected to a roller. Each of the cleaning disks has multiple brushes so as to sweep dust into the collection box. A handle is connected with a yoke member which is pivotally connected to the case and a mopping unit is connected to the case and enclosed by a frame which is movable up and down to allow the brushes to contact the floor when use. The case is pivoted 180 degrees to allow the mopping unit to be located to mop the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Tsung Mou Yu
  • Publication number: 20120066849
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Kunihiko FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20120037183
    Abstract: Extraneous liquid is absorbently removed from the rim or sealing area of a contact lens package prior to sealing it, so as to promote good adhesion of the foil cover to the rim when the package is sealed. As the package moves through the system, the package rim and an absorbent blotter are moved into contact with one another. The blotter absorbs any extraneous liquid on the rim. A vacuum or other dryer can be included to further remove the absorbed liquid from the blotter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Shay James Foley, Kent M. Grothe, Lawrence David Keyes, Charles Henry Walton, IV
  • Publication number: 20120017384
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool according to the present invention includes a tool main body and an extension section that extends from the tool main body, wherein the tool main body includes a supply reel and a winding reel, which perform supply and take-up of the cleaning body, a housing body that houses the supply reel and the winding reel, and a biasing member that is located in the housing body and biases the housing body. The biasing member biases backward in the extending direction the housing body that is in a state where the housing body has relatively moved forward in the extending direction of the extension section, and a position in a front-and-back direction of the biasing member is close to the front compared to positions in a front-and-back direction of the supply reel and the winding reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventor: Kunihiko FUJIWARA
  • Publication number: 20120014689
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus includes a substrate holding and rotating unit for holding a center of a rear surface of a substrate and rotating the substrate; a cleaning unit including a first cleaning member, a second cleaning member provided around the first cleaning member and a base to which the first and second cleaning members are secured; an elevating unit for moving the substrate holding and rotating unit and the cleaning unit relative to each other so as to allow the first and second cleaning members to come into contact with the rear surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding and rotating unit; and a driving unit for driving the substrate and the cleaning unit relative to each other in a direction along the rear surface of the substrate so as to allow part of the second cleaning member to be exposed to the outside of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Atsushi Ookouchi, Junji Kume
  • Patent number: 8092610
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning a driver used in a disk drive manufacturing process. The cleaning device includes: a body; a replaceable cleaning pad mounted in the body; and a cover mounted to the body over the cleaning pad, in which, the cover includes an opening to receive the driver and to expose a portion of the cleaning pad to receive and clean the driver. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning pad rotation mechanism mounted in the body that connects to the cleaning pad and rotates the cleaning pad. The cleaning pad rotation mechanism is configured to rotate the cleaning pad such that an unused portion of the cleaning pad is exposed to the opening for receipt of the driver and the cleaning pad rotation mechanism may be activated to rotate the cleaning pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean Albert Tarrant
  • Publication number: 20120000024
    Abstract: Embodiments of an automated camera cleaning system are provided. In one embodiment, the automated camera cleaning system includes an optical path, an optically-transmissive lens shield through which the optical path extends, a housing in which the optically-transmissive lens shield is at least partially disposed, and a motor coupled to the lens shield. When energized, the motor moves the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned in the optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Jacob Kyle Layton
  • Patent number: 8087118
    Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool which wipes to clean a joining end face of an optical connector by a feeding movement of a cleaning body. It includes a tool body which incorporates a feeding mechanism that supplies and takes up the cleaning body, and an insertion part which inserts into a connector housing hole of a positioning housing for connectors. The insertion part has a head member on which is formed a pressing face that presses the cleaning body against the joining end face within the connector housing hole, and is capable of moving in a direction of extension or contraction relative to the tool body. Movement of the tool body in an insertion direction relative to the insertion part in a state where the cleaning body is in contact with the joining end face causes the head member to axially rotate while the state of contact is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20110283471
    Abstract: The present application concerns the field of machines for floor treatment, such as cleaning and scrubbing, and in particular relates to the use of a vacuum squeegee assembly for collecting and lifting liquid from a floor surface during treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: NUMATIC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Nicholas John Putt
  • Publication number: 20110271468
    Abstract: An implement for cleaning mineral ring build up in a toilet bowl. The inventive device is an attachment driven by a cordless drill. It consists of a ball covered with a non abrasive material attached to a shaft which rotates the ball to remove mineral ring build up on toilet bowls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Charles Neil Carr