Patents Examined by Ryan Coleman
  • Patent number: 9005369
    Abstract: A dishwasher with a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system, a liquid recirculation system defining a recirculation flow path, and a liquid filtering system. The liquid filtering system includes a rotating filter disposed in the recirculation flow path to filter the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kristopher L. Delgado, Jordan R. Fountain, Jacquelyn R. Geda, Antony M. Rappette, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 9005368
    Abstract: In a method for operating a dishwasher containing wash items, in particular a household dishwasher, at least at times a heated liquid to the wash items is applied during at least two of a plurality of program steps. A desorption process for desorption of a reversibly dehydratable drying material of a sorption drying system is effected at least at times. The desorption process is carried out at least partially before or during a first of the at least two program steps, with heated liquid being applied to the wash items during the at least two program steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Fauth, Helmut Jerg, Kai Paintner, Andreas Reiter, Roland Rieger
  • Patent number: 8991408
    Abstract: A device for cleaning channels including a rod-shaped carrier element, at least one cleaning element that is connected with the carrier element, and at least one additional cleaning element that can be detached from the carrier element. A method for cleaning instrument channels wherein the cleaning device is moved in the axial direction in the instrument channel as far as an end point; after reaching the end point the cleaning device is moved back in the opposite axial direction in the instrument channel. Owing to the reverse motion of the cleaning device, the detachable cleaning element is released from the carrier element and thereafter is no longer part of the cleaning process of the previously cleaned instrument channel and can no longer soil the channel. The device and method removes from the instrument channel the substances that are to be removed and produces an efficient and good cleaning result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Norbert Hansen
  • Patent number: 8992693
    Abstract: A cleaning station that includes a container designed to hold a solvent and having a floor and two pairs of side walls connected to form an enclosure, with a first shelf disposed at a location elevated in relation to the container floor and a second shelf disposed above the first shelf, the second shelf being slidable and being removably provided, there being brushes located in an opening in the first shelf that may be used for cleaning tools and a plurality of additional openings in the first shelf to allow the passage of solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Bio Brands, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Currell, Anthony Severino
  • Patent number: 8944077
    Abstract: A disclosed film deposition apparatus includes a susceptor provided rotatably in a chamber; a substrate receiving portion provided in one surface of the susceptor, for receiving a substrate; a reaction gas supplying member configured to supply a reaction gas to the one surface of the susceptor; a cleaning member including: a first concave member that is provided above the susceptor and open toward the one surface, thereby defining a space of an inverted concave shape, a second concave member provided over the first concave member to define a gas passage between the first concave member and the second concave member, a cleaning gas supplying portion configured to supply a cleaning gas to the space, and an evacuation pipe configured to be in gaseous communication with the gas passage and extend out from the chamber; and an evacuation opening provided in the chamber in order to evacuate the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kato, Manabu Honma
  • Patent number: 8944080
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided, including a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion includes a first opening. The middle portion is connected to the top portion, and includes an inlet on a lateral side, an annular channel communicated with the inlet, and a second opening communicated with the first opening. The bottom portion is connected to the middle portion, and includes a reservoir and a third opening. The third opening communicates the second opening and the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: VisEra Technologies Company Limited
    Inventors: Yen-Shao Peng, Chia-Hao Hsueh, Kuo-Hsing Teng
  • Patent number: 8945313
    Abstract: A vacuum exhaust method of a substrate processing apparatus, after opening to the atmosphere, depressurizes a vacuum processing chamber having therein a mounting table for mounting a target substrate thereon. The vacuum exhaust method includes covering a surface of the mounting table with a protection member; sealing the vacuum processing chamber; vacuum evacuating the sealed vacuum processing chamber; and adsorbing at least one of foreign substances and out-gases by the protection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hidefumi Matsui, Tsuyoshi Moriya, Nobuyuki Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8940102
    Abstract: Some embodiments include methods of removing particles from over surfaces of semiconductor substrates. Liquid may be flowed across the surfaces and the particles. While the liquid is flowing, electrophoresis and/or electroosmosis may be utilized to enhance transport of the particles from the surfaces and into the liquid. In some embodiments, temperature, pH and/or ionic strength within the liquid may be altered to assist in the removal of the particles from over the surfaces of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Joseph Greeley, Dan Millward, Wayne Huang
  • Patent number: 8932408
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a surface of a plate-like article includes the steps of: treating the surface with free flow cleaning, wherein liquid is dispensed through a dispense nozzle onto the surface in a continuous liquid flow, and treating the surface with spray cleaning, wherein liquid is directed through a spray nozzle towards the surface in form of droplets. The surface is treated with a spray cleaning step before the free flow cleaning step and a spray cleaning step after the free flow cleaning step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventor: Reinhard Sellmer
  • Patent number: 8926762
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a movable megasonic wafer probe. A method is disclosed including positioning a movable probe on a wafer surface, the movable probe having an open bottom portion that exposes a portion of the wafer surface; applying a liquid onto the wafer surface through a bottom portion of the movable probe; and moving the movable probe at a predetermined scan speed to traverse the wafer surface, applying the liquid to the wafer surface while moving over the wafer surface. In additional embodiments the method includes providing a transducer for applying megasonic energy to the wafer surface. Apparatus embodiments are disclosed including the movable megasonic wafer probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Hsueh Chang Chien, Shao-Yen Ku, Ming-Hsi Yeh, Chi-Ming Yang, Chin-Hsiang Lin
  • Patent number: 8926763
    Abstract: Interior parts of gasoline engines are readily cleaned by a method comprising the steps of connecting an a cleaning liquid supply pipe having a gas supply port thereon airtightly to a port of an intake pipe of the engine below a throttle valve-attached position of the engine; operating the engine to draw cleaning liquid in the form of liquid drop and simultaneously drawing continuously a gas having an oxygen concentration of less than 20 vol. % into the intake pipe; and exhausting the cleaning liquid having been brought into contact with the internal parts of the engine with an exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron Japan Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ogasawara, Toshio Anami, Yuuki Katoh
  • Patent number: 8920572
    Abstract: A device for cleaning a fixed abrasive polishing pad includes a main body having a surface facing the polishing pad, an inlet coupled to an end of the main body and configured to supply a cleaning liquid, an inject orifice coupled to the inlet for injecting the cleaning liquid and being provided on the surface of the main body, an outlet coupled to the end of the main body, and a recycle orifice coupled to the outlet, and being provided on the surface of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
    Inventor: Feng Chen
  • Patent number: 8894775
    Abstract: After a substrate is cleaned, a liquid layer of a rinse liquid is formed so as to cover one surface of the substrate. Then, a liquid supply nozzle moves outward from above the center of the substrate. The liquid supply nozzle is stopped once at the time point where it moves by a predetermined distance from above the center of the substrate. In this time period, the liquid layer is divided within a thin layer region by a centrifugal force, so that a drying core is formed at the center of the liquid layer. Thereafter, the liquid supply nozzle moves outward again, so that a drying region where no rinse liquid exists expands on the substrate with the drying core as its starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Screen Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Miyagi, Masashi Kanaoka, Kazuhito Shigemori, Shuichi Yasuda, Masakazu Sanada
  • Patent number: 8893735
    Abstract: A jewelry cleaning device may include the following components: a basin having a base portion and for holding a cleaning solution, a support post extending upwards from the base portion inside the basin and shaped to securely hold a piece of jewelry in place, and a sleeve sized to fit within the basin and having a plurality of bristles disposed therein with a handle portion on the top end thereof. A plastic dome may likewise be provided on a top end of the sleeve. All components may be modular and may be readily fitted together to form a unitary jewelry cleaning device. By rotating the sleeve using the handle portion while a piece of jewelry is supported within the cleaning solution of the basin on the support post, a user may cause the bristles to clean a piece of jewelry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Shatz
  • Patent number: 8881749
    Abstract: A system for controlling silica dust generated during the transfer of frac sand from a storage container through a conveyor system includes a system of conduits having a plurality of inlets for collecting silica dust generated at selected points along the conveyor system. An air system pneumatically coupled to the system of conduits generates a negative pressure at each of the inlets to induce the collection of silica dust at the selected points along the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sierra Dust Control, LLC
    Inventor: Kim R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8857451
    Abstract: An article of manufacture suitable for cleaning the top of a vehicle, comprising: at least one blower: and a support for said blower, wherein said support positions the blower to blow snow or debris from the top of a vehicle. This invention improves on prior art by using blowers to remove snow from large vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: David Opdyke
  • Patent number: 8840730
    Abstract: A machine for cleaning a head-disk assembly (HDA) of a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a nest that seals the HDA between an upper and lower portion during cleaning. An inlet port receives a gas and an exhaust port exhausts the gas and entrained particles. A shock drive delivers mechanical shocks to the nest and the HDA while the gas is flowing through the HDA. A blower may circulate the gas from the exhaust port to the inlet port. A filter may be coupled to the inlet port. The HDA nest may be movable along an axis of the mechanical shocks delivered by the shock drive. A blow tube may deliver gas to a screw hole and a coaxial vacuum tube may rest against a surface around the screw hole to encapsulate the blow tube during cleaning and remove the gas and particles from the screw hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Pranee Thonghara, Lie Dhani Hastama, Pattira Mokawan
  • Patent number: 8813764
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and systems for physically confining a liquid medium applied over a semiconductor wafer include a first and a second chemical head that are disposed to cover at least a portion of a top and an underside surface of the semiconductor wafer. Each of the first and the second chemical heads include an angled inlet conduit at a leading edge of the respective chemical heads to deliver liquid chemistry into a pocket of meniscus in a single phase. The pocket of meniscus is defined over the portion of the top and underside surface of the semiconductor wafer covered by the chemical heads and is configured to receive and contain the liquid chemistry applied to the surface of the semiconductor wafer as a meniscus. A step is formed at a leading edge of the first and second chemical heads along an outer periphery of the pocket of meniscus to substantially confine the meniscus of the liquid chemistry within the pocket of meniscus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Enrico Magni, Eric Lenz
  • Patent number: 8808465
    Abstract: This disclosure dramatically extends by a factor of 5 to 7, the effective service-life of steel shaving blades by chelating mineral molecules in common tap water, thus preventing them from accumulating and attaching to the blade surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: James Ronald Darnall
  • Patent number: 8784570
    Abstract: Method for cleaning a steam nozzle (7) of a beverage preparation machine comprising a rinsing container (12) having a top opening (22) and a draining device (23) for evacuating the liquid contained therein; a feed device for feeding the nozzle with liquid; a device (13) for moving the nozzle vertically so that its free end (7a) enters the container (12); and a control unit for controlling the moving and feeding devices. It includes a rinsing sequence with the following steps: the lowering of the nozzle (7) into the rinsing position inside the container; the filling of the container (12) with liquid by the nozzle; and the draining of the container (12) activated by the control unit connected to the moving and feeding devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Gilles Morin, Laurent Gagnon, Vincent Crosville