Patents Examined by Christopher Remavege
  • Patent number: 11666941
    Abstract: This invention discloses a method for controlling nanoscopic wetting near or at a molecular scale for synthetic material applications. In particular this invention relates to a method for preparing a monolayer or thin film with a patterned nanoscopic wetting surface using a ‘sitting’ phase of polymerizable amphiphile, wherein hydrophobic alkyl chains of the amphiphile extend along the supporting surface and the amphiphile molecules align side-to-side, effectively forming a repeating cross-section of bilayer with alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic stripes of a ˜6 nm pitch tunable based on the chain length of the amphiphile. Products prepared according to the methods disclosed herein are within the scope of this invention. In some embodiments, monolayers or thin films so prepared are transferable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Shelley A Claridge, Shi Wah Choong, Jae Jin Bang, Shane Richard Russell
  • Patent number: 11660629
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting and cleaning a nozzle of a dispenser are disclosed. The systems may include a platform supporting a cleaning substrate. The cleaning substrate may have a plurality of hook structures configured to remove a material from the nozzle. The systems may also include a camera configured to capture an image of the nozzle and a controller configured to control the system. The methods may include providing a cleaning substrate having a plurality of hook structures, and moving at least one of the nozzle and the cleaning substrate relative to the other to remove a material from the nozzle. The methods may also include capturing an image of the nozzle after dispensing with a camera, processing the image to generate a value, utilizing the value to determine if the nozzle should be cleaned, and if the determination is that the nozzle should be cleaned, cleaning the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph C. Nelson, Jared Wilburn, Alan R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11661652
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a gas line cleaning system and a method of cleaning gas lines. The gas line cleaning system includes a connector having a first end and a second end, and a fluid system. The fluid system includes a fluid source configured to flow a fluid through a fluid conduit connected to the first end, and an ultrasonic transducer coupled to the fluid conduit configured to apply an ultrasonic energy to the fluid conduit to agitate the fluid. The ultrasonic energy creates a mechanical energy that reverberates in the fluid conduit and propagates into the fluid to remove particles that may have formed on an inside surface of a gas line connected to the second end and carry away particles inside the gas line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Peng, Halbert Chong, Marcus Pereira, David W. Groechel
  • Patent number: 11660787
    Abstract: An automatic mold cleaning device includes an automatic cleaning system, a mold clamping system and a waste recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinling Yang, Hongshen Zhang, Yukun Yang
  • Patent number: 11660162
    Abstract: An arthroscopic shaver cleaning device and method of cleaning an arthroscopic shaver blade/burr are disclosed. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device includes a sleeve portion configured to interface with a proximal portion of a blade/burr of an arthroscopic shaver. The arthroscopic shaver cleaning device further includes a fluid connection portion having a fluid passageway configured to direct fluid toward the proximal portion of the blade/burr in order to dislodge debris entrapped in shaver lumen of the blade/burr.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Mark 2 Medical, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Ritter, Mark Dale
  • Patent number: 11660839
    Abstract: A method for making a three-dimensional hierarchical layered porous copper, the method includes providing a copper-zinc alloy precursor being composed of a ?? phase and a ? phase, and treating the copper-zinc alloy precursor by electrochemical dealloying. The present application further provides a three-dimensional hierarchical layered porous copper including a first surface layer, an intermediate layer, and a second surface layer stacked in that order. The first surface layer includes a plurality of micron-scale pores and a plurality of first nanoscale pores. The intermediate layer includes a plurality of second nanoscale pores. The second surface layer includes the plurality of micron-scale pores and the plurality of first nanoscale pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chen Luan, Lu Chen, Bin Li, Lin Zhu, Wen-Zhen Li
  • Patent number: 11661357
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning materials, such as flooring and upholstery. In some cases, the systems and methods use an electrolytic cell to electrolyze a solution comprising sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and/or any other suitable chemical to generate electrolyzed alkaline water and/or electrolyzed oxidizing water. In some cases, the cell comprises a recirculation loop that recirculates anolyte through an anode compartment of the cell. In some cases, the cell further comprises a senor and a processor, where the processor is configured to automatically change an operation of the cell, based on a reading from the sensor. In some cases, a fluid flows past a magnet before entering the cell. In some additional cases, fluid from the cell is conditioned by being split into multiple conduits that run in proximity to each other. Additional implementations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Z Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gaylord M. Karren, James K. Stone, John M. Hopkins, William R. Shupe
  • Patent number: 11638937
    Abstract: A method for effectively cleaning vias (20034), trenches (20036) or recessed areas on a substrate (20010) using an ultra/mega sonic device (1003, 3003, 16062, 17072), comprising: applying liquid (1032) into a space between a substrate (20010) and an ultra/mega sonic device (1003, 3003, 16062, 17072); setting an ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f1 and power P1 to drive said ultra/mega sonic device (1003, 3003, 16062, 17072); after the ratio of total bubbles volume to volume inside vias (20034), trenches (20036) or recessed areas on the substrate (20010) increasing to a first set value, setting said ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f2 and power P2 to drive said ultra/mega sonic device (1003, 3003, 16062, 17072); after the ratio of total bubbles volume to volume inside the vias (20034), trenches (20036) or recessed areas reducing to a second set value, setting said ultra/mega sonic power supply at frequency f1 and power P1 again; repeating above steps till the substrate (20010) being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: ACM RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Wang, Xi Wang, Fuping Chen, Fufa Chen, Jian Wang, Xiaoyan Zhang, Yinuo Jin, Zhaowei Jia, Jun Wang, Xuejun Li
  • Patent number: 11623880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning materials, such as flooring and upholstery. In some cases, the systems and methods use an electrolytic cell to electrolyze a solution comprising sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and/or any other suitable chemical to generate electrolyzed alkaline water and/or electrolyzed oxidizing water. In some cases, the cell comprises a recirculation loop that recirculates anolyte through an anode compartment of the cell. In some cases, the cell further comprises a senor and a processor, where the processor is configured to automatically change an operation of the cell, based on a reading from the sensor. In some cases, a fluid flows past a magnet before entering the cell. In some additional cases, fluid from the cell is conditioned by being split into multiple conduits that run in proximity to each other. Additional implementations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Z Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gaylord M. Karren, James K. Stone, John M. Hopkins, William R. Shupe
  • Patent number: 11624043
    Abstract: Solid rinse aid compositions, methods of use, and methods of making said composition are disclosed. Rinse aid is provided by a solidification agent, a sheeting agent, a defoamer component, and a polyacrylic acid homopolymer or alkali metal salt thereof forming a solid composition. Preferred solidification agents include aromatic sulfonates. Preferred sheeting agents include one or more alcohol ethoxylates. Preferred defoamer components include a polymer compound including one or more ethylene oxide groups. The solid rinse aid compositions are preferably substantially free of sulfate and sulfate-containing compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Carter M. Silvernail, Erik C. Olson
  • Patent number: 11618127
    Abstract: A method for surface treatment of a DLC coated member that includes: taking as a treatment subject a DLC coated member having a DLC film coated on a base material surface; ejecting substantially spherical ejection particles having a median diameter of from 1 ?m to 20 ?m and a falling time through air of not less than 10 s/m against a surface of the film of the member at an ejection pressure of from 0.01 MPa to 0.7 MPa; and forming dimples on the surface of the film without exposing the base material so that a total projected area of the dimples is 50% or more of a treated region and so that the surface of the DLC film is processed to an arithmetic mean height (Sa) of from 0.01 ?m to 0.1 ?m and a texture aspect ratio (Str) of 0.4 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Mase, Shozo Ishibashi, Yusuke Kondo
  • Patent number: 11617490
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a memory unit for storing a number of washing programs, a control device configured to carry out a washing program from the number of washing programs; and a communication unit configured to retrieve a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with a status information relating to an external household appliance, and to store the retrieved specific washing program in the memory unit, said control device carrying out the stored specific washing program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Heidel, Sebastian Wagner, Bernd Kränzle
  • Patent number: 11618947
    Abstract: There is provided a technique of cleaning an inside of a process container, including: (a) removing substances adhered in a process container set at a first temperature by supplying a first gas at a first flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; (b) physically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a second temperature by supplying a second gas at a second flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container; and (c) chemically desorbing and removing residual fluorine in the process container set at a third temperature by supplying a third gas at a third flow rate into the process container and exhausting the inside of the process container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: KOKUSAI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Harada, Shingo Nohara, Yuji Urano, Yasunobu Koshi, Masayoshi Minami
  • Patent number: 11524320
    Abstract: A sucker rod cleaning system includes an inductive heating device, a feed mechanism, a first support and a second support. An electromagnet of the inductive heating device includes a wire coil head that is configured to inductively heat a sucker rod positioned within a heating zone. The feed mechanism is configured to feed a sucker rod through the heating zone in a feed direction. The first support is positioned on an upstream side of the wire coil head, and is configured to support a portion of a sucker rod as it is fed through the heating zone by the feed mechanism. The second support is positioned on a downstream side of the wire coil head, and is configured to support a portion of a sucker rod as it is fed through the heating zone by the feed mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Baranko Environmental LLC
    Inventor: Darren K. Fike
  • Patent number: 11521838
    Abstract: A method for removing etchant byproduct from an etch reactor and discharging a substrate from an electrostatic chuck of the etch reactor is provided. A substrate may be electrostatically secured to an electrostatic chuck within a chamber of an etch reactor. A first plasma may be provided into the chamber to etch the substrate, causing an etchant byproduct to be generated. After the etching is complete, a second plasma may be provided into the chamber, wherein the second plasma is an oxygen containing plasma. The etchant byproduct may be removed and the first substrate may be discharged using the second plasma. The first substrate may be removed from the chamber and a second substrate may be inserted into the chamber without first performing an in-situ cleaning between the removal of the first substrate and the insertion of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yi Zhou, Seul Ki Ahn, Seung-Young Son, Li-Te Chang, Sunil Srinivasan, Rajinder Dhindsa
  • Patent number: 11515150
    Abstract: Exemplary processing methods may include forming a plasma of a deposition precursor in a processing region of a semiconductor processing chamber. The methods may include adjusting a variable capacitor within 20% of a resonance peak. The variable capacitor may be coupled with an electrode incorporated within a substrate support on which a substrate is seated. The methods may include depositing a material on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Wenyoung Tsiang, Abdul Aziz Khaja, Li-Qun Xia, Kevin Hsiao, Liangfa Hu, Yayun Cheng
  • Patent number: 11503895
    Abstract: A makeup remover mask includes a first sheet of an absorbent material having a periphery with a concave section; and a second sheet of an absorbent material having a periphery with a convex section. The makeup remover mask is used for removing eye makeup by placing the first sheet of an absorbent material having a periphery with a concave section on a lower eye lid of an eye beneath eyelashes, and placing a second sheet of an absorbent material having a periphery with a convex section on an upper eye lid of an eye, wherein the second sheet covers the eye makeup to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventor: Jialu Gu
  • Patent number: 11508585
    Abstract: A method for CMP includes following operations. A dielectric structure is received. The dielectric structure includes a metal layer stack formed therein. The metal layer stack includes at least a first metal layer and a second metal layer, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are exposed through a surface of the dielectric structure. A first composition is provided to remove a portion of the first metal layer from the surface of the dielectric structure. A second composition is provided to form a protecting layer over the second metal layer. The protecting layer is removed from the second metal layer. A CMP operation is performed to remove a portion of the second metal layer. In some embodiments, the protecting layer protects the second metal layer during the removal of the portion of the first metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ji Cui, Fu-Ming Huang, Ting-Kui Chang, Tang-Kuei Chang, Chun-Chieh Lin, Wei-Wei Liang, Liang-Guang Chen, Kei-Wei Chen, Hung Yen, Ting-Hsun Chang, Chi-Hsiang Shen, Li-Chieh Wu, Chi-Jen Liu
  • Patent number: 11488848
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a workstation includes: a cleaning station configured to clean a die vessel, wherein the die vessel is configured to secure a semiconductor die; an inspection station configured to inspect the die vessel after cleaning to determine whether the die vessel is identified as passing inspection; and a conveyor configured to move the die vessel between the cleaning station and the inspection station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Sheng Kuo, Guan-Wei Huang, Chih-Hung Huang, Yang-Ann Chu, Hsu-Shui Liu, Jiun-Rong Pai
  • Patent number: 11479484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for cleaning materials, such as flooring and upholstery. In some cases, the systems and methods use an electrolytic cell to electrolyze a solution comprising sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and/or any other suitable chemical to generate electrolyzed alkaline water and/or electrolyzed oxidizing water. In some cases, the cell comprises a recirculation loop that recirculates anolyte through an anode compartment of the cell. In some cases, the cell further comprises a sensor and a processor, where the processor is configured to automatically change an operation of the cell, based on a reading from the sensor. In some cases, a fluid flows past a magnet before entering the cell. In some additional cases, fluid from the cell is conditioned by being split into multiple conduits that run in proximity to each other. Additional implementations are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Z Intellectual Property Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: Gaylord M. Karren, James K. Stone, John M. Hopkins, William R. Shupe