Patents Examined by Dermott J. Cooke
  • Patent number: 6159083
    Abstract: A polishing head for a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) apparatus. The polishing head includes a backplate, a retaining ring supported by the backplate, and a bladder member encircled by the retaining ring. The backplate of the polishing head comprises a driving plate biasedly coupled to a subcarrier by a bellows. The polishing head may further include a lift plate disposed on the subcarrier and beneath the bladder member. A method for polishing a substrate includes placing a substrate on the bladder member and positioning the substrate against a polishing pad such that the bladder member applies a selected pressure profile on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Aplex, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Appel, Charles J. Regan, David E. Weldon, Shou-sung Chang, Gregory C. Lee
  • Patent number: 6152813
    Abstract: A dresser and a dressing apparatus able to reduce the labor involved in the dressing work and obtain a sufficient dressing effect. The dressing apparatus 1 is provided with a dresser 2 and a dresser drive apparatus 3. The dresser 2 has brushes 11a and 11b formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the dresser body 10 and scrapers 12a and 12b provided in the longitudinal direction of the dresser body 10. The dresser drive apparatus 3 has a swing mechanism for swinging the dresser 2 in the radial direction of the platens. Preferably springs for biasing the scrapers 12a and 12b in the outward direction are provided in the dresser body 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Speedfam Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshinaru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6119564
    Abstract: A grinding support for supporting a workpiece, such as a pin member, during a process of grinding the workpiece. The support particularly supports the workpiece in a stable position during grinding so that larger grinding "cuts" can be taken, thereby speeding the process. In addition, the positioning of the support can be precisely controlled to ensure a consistent grind along the length of the workpiece. The grinding support may be used in a grinding support assembly in which a workpiece is supported at one end thereof by the aforementioned support, and at another end by a known type of support, the latter preferably being rotatable, whereby the workpiece can be rotated during the grinding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Maryland Lava Company
    Inventor: Paul Clayton Newman
  • Patent number: 6116997
    Abstract: A single side work polishing apparatus rectifies the surface geometry of a polishing pad during the polishing of a work. A correction roller is mounted to a pressure member that pushes a work against a polishing pad held by a rotating surface plate. The correction roller has a length substantially equivalent to the width of the working area of the polishing pad and is arranged along the radial direction of the surface plate. During polishing, the work and the correction roller are pressed against the polishing pad by the pressure member. The correction roller rotates about its longitudinal axis to rectify the polishing pad while the work is being polished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventors: Shunji Hakomori, Hitoshi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 6115998
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag for an airbag module is characterized in that an empty airbag is spread out and gathered in towards a center to give a folded airbag. The airbag is gathered inside a fixed vertical profiled section having a top and a bottom separated by a distance corresponding to the predetermined height of the folded airbag. Only a few gathering tools and only a few operations are necessary to gather the airbag. A device for carrying out the method is characterized by a lower part on which the airbag is spread out flat and an upper part separated from the lower part by a distance that corresponds to the vertical profile required for the gathered airbag. Gathering tools are mounted between the upper part and the lower part so that they surround the airbag and so that their position relative to the airbag can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Petri AG
    Inventors: Stefan Reh, Thomas Marotzke
  • Patent number: 6112783
    Abstract: A combined router guide and clamping apparatus for enabling the routing of small rectangular holes, grooves, recesses, rabbets, mortices and tenons, in a controlled and precise manner, on large or small blocks of wood as well as the sides or ends of boards. The combined router guide and clamping apparatus comprises: a working platform having a platform area for receiving a router base thereon; a base unit secured to the working platform, underneath the working platform and including clamping means, which includes at least one adjustable clamp, moveable relative to the working platform, for securing a workpiece in the base unit relative to the working platform; and a fence means on the working platform and including at least one adjustable fence for guiding the router base on the router platform area. The clamping assembly includes a pair of clamping jaws and front and rear force transfer bars which isolate the clamping forces from the working platform and the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Roger R. Newman
  • Patent number: 6110087
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for printing onto and erecting a box. A feeder holds knockdowns, which are transported to a printer in a substantially vertical position and printed upon. An upper knockdown kickout guide and a lower knockdown kickout move the knockdown into a diagonal position and impel it forward such that the knockdown is momentarily airborne. A roller or rollers facilitate the entry of the printed knockdown into a hopper by minimizing horizontal friction encountered by the printed knockdown. The printed knockdowns are transported from the hopper to an erector, where they are erected into completed boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: S.V. Dice Designers
    Inventor: Todd Andrew Dice
  • Patent number: 6106450
    Abstract: A modification of conventional case packing equipment for forming rectangular containers from knocked-down-flat (KDF) precursors allows formation of non-rectangular containers having one or more oblique wall panels, e.g., an octagonal container. As part of a conveyor line operation, a ram head assembly is advanceable into a rectangular tube erected from a KDF container precusor. The ram head assembly includes a pair of plows which are movable outwardly from a base of the ram head assembly and into engagement with opposing interior sides of the rectangular tube such that oblique corner wall panels are positively formed along score lines provided in the precursor. In addition to forming the oblique wall panels, the plows provide pressing surfaces for facilitating adhesive securement of the container closure flaps while the plow maintains the oblique wall panels in a proper orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventor: Jody A. Brittain
  • Patent number: 6098379
    Abstract: The system for the packaging of products comprises a first conveyor on which a plurality of trays are fed along a defined conveying line so as to transfer the products on the trays from a production unit to a plurality of product packaging lines, and an aligner designed to transfer the products from the conveying line to the packaging lines, at each of which there is a buffer designed to accommodate a plurality of trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche A.C.M.A. S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Roberto Ghiotti
  • Patent number: 6098905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an atta flour, which is typically used to produce Asian breads such as chapati and roti. The atta flour method includes passing an amount of wheat through a device designed to crack the wheat so as to produce an amount of cracked wheat, followed by passing the cracked wheat through at least two smooth rolls designed to grind the cracked wheat into flour, with the smooth roll importantly grinding the wheat to a smaller particle size and shearing the wheat to cause starch damage in the finished atta flour. The atta flour will have an amount of starch damage equal to between about 13% and about 18% and an amount of ash equal to at least 1%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: ConAgra, Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Salem, Sarath K. Katta, Sambasiva R. Chigurupati
  • Patent number: 6095961
    Abstract: A series of overlapping envelope blanks are fed into contact with a pull-out roll which engages and accelerates the first blank to separate it from the remaining blanks. From the pull-out roll, the separated blank is fed onto the surface of a rotary aligning wheel. A plurality of aligning pins extend from the surface of the wheel and are positioned in spaced relation around the wheel. The separated blank is fed into contact with the aligning pins forcing the blank with its trailing edge engaged with the pull-out segment to maintain the separated blank aligned on the surface of the wheel. Vacuum ports are positioned on the surface of the wheel adjacent to the aligning pins. The negative pressure from the vacuum ports secures the sheet to the surface of the wheel as the sheet is aligned into a preselected position on the wheel by contact with the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: F. L. Smithe Machine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry J. Mueller, Eliot S. Smithe
  • Patent number: 6095895
    Abstract: A processing jig comprises a main body including a material retainer for retaining a magnetic head material at the lower end thereof. The main body has a hole for fixing in its longitudinal mid-section and in a position above the middle along the vertical direction. A bolt is inserted into the hole for fixing the main body to a jig fixing plate of the processing apparatus. The jig is fixed to the processing apparatus with the bolt inserted into the hole only at the one point in the longitudinal mid-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Fujita, Masao Yamaguchi, Masahiro Sasaki, Masaki Kozu, Kazuhiro Barada
  • Patent number: 6090033
    Abstract: Cushioning conversion machine and method for converting a sheet stock material into U-shape strips of dunnage. The machine and method are characterized by at least one conversion assembly which converts the sheet stock material into a strip of dunnage, an outlet through which the strip of dunnage emerges and which defines an exit path of the strip of dunnage, and a capture device disposed in the exit path of the strip of dunnage emerging from the outlet and being operative to cause the emerging strip of dunnage to be progressively bent into a U-shape and then removed while retaining the U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Ranpak Corp.
    Inventor: James A. Simmons, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6082077
    Abstract: A tube filling machine, including a conveying device rotating about a pair of axes defining a plane and having a plurality of holding elements in each of which a tube can be inserted. The tubes can be conveyed through individual works stations. In order to permit a simple modification and adaptation of the orientation of the tubes during their passage through the tube filling machine, the plane defined by the axes is inclined at an angle .alpha. to the horizontal, and each tube is so held in its holding element that its longitudinal axis is inclined at an angle .beta. relative to the defined plane. The angle .alpha. and the angle .beta. are preferably in the range 20 to 70.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: IWK Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 6080045
    Abstract: A rotating fixture releasably carries work pieces in a circular path for parading the work pieces, one-by-one, through machining engagement with a grinding wheel for grinding a desired feature or surface onto each work piece. The fixture is adapted such that the work pieces can be quickly snapped into position, and provision is made for automatically ejecting the finished parts from the fixture. A clamping apparatus clamps the work pieces in place in the fixture, one-by-one, just prior each piece reaching the tool, and then releases the work piece after the machining on each part is finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventors: James E. Pruitt, Jeffery Scott Pruitt
  • Patent number: 6076752
    Abstract: In a grinding/pulverizing system the combustion of the material being processed is avoided by grinding or pulverizing the material at temperatures below the combustion temperature of the material, and/or in an atmosphere of reduced oxygen level incapable of supporting combustion of the material at the processing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Quality Botanical Ingredients, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Paradowski, Ralph John Altreche, Carlos Mendez
  • Patent number: 6076572
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that lifts, secures, splits and/or crushes tree stumps or other materials, particularly wooden or metal materials and other materials that may be present at an excavation site. The apparatus is characterized in part by a two pivot point design. A first pivot point allows for the pivotable operation of an engaging unit which grabs and lifts the tree stump. The engaging unit further acts a durable and secure support member for the tree stump during the splitting and crushing process. The second pivot point allows for the pivotable operation of a cutting device which facilitates splitting and crushing of the stumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Douglas B. Cook
  • Patent number: 6073865
    Abstract: A process is disclosed that is utilized in particular in the preparation of fibrous material of used paper. Hot fibrous pulp friable materials, which are especially suitable for dispersing, are first formed in a compact, high-consistency fibrous material in the form of a plug. In a preferred embodiment, the plug of materials is pushed against a rotor that is equipped with pulverization elements. The pulverization elements remove the fibrous pulp friable materials and distribute them in a disintegrated condition in a processing chamber. In the processing chamber, super-heated vapor is supplied via vapor supply lines, which calefies the fibrous pulp friable materials, for example, by condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiertechnik Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Almut Kriebel, Volker Niggl, Erich Peters, Josef Schneid, Hans Schnell
  • Patent number: 6074283
    Abstract: A compact and simple lapping apparatus in which, even if projections and depressions are formed in the circumferential direction on the top surface of a lapping plate, a workpiece and a bar are hard to damage and the polished surface of the workpiece is kept in good condition. This apparatus is provided with at least one lapping jig in which a workpiece is placed on the rotating top surface of the lapping plate. Further, a lapping head adapted to be able to rotate only in a direction on the lapping plate is attached to this lapping jig. This lapping head is equipped with a workpiece and at least two dummy work materials (or stock) so that these dummy works compose (as-polished) surfaces, which should be polished, together with the workpiece. Moreover, a device for detecting the remaining part of the workpiece to be lapped is provided on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Maeda, Yoshifumi Mizoshita, Toshiyuki Satoh, Takahiro Imamura, Toru Kohei
  • Patent number: 6056630
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique polishing apparatus, such as a chemical/mechanical polishing apparatus, that includes a pivoting apparatus having a first end coupled to a carrier head and a second end coupled to a rotatable shaft wherein the pivoting apparatus is configured to exert a pivoting force with respect to the carrier head to pivot the carrier head with respect to the rotatable shaft to more easily break the surface tension formed by the slurry during the polishing process. This system provides a polishing apparatus that can reduce the amount of semiconductor wafer breakage associated with present processes and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Arun K. Nanda, Laurence D. Schultz