Patents Examined by Saeed T. Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 9139800
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to concentrated warewashing compositions and methods of using the same. In some aspects, the invention uses concentrated compositions in methods of warewashing where the concentrate is applied directly to the article to be cleaned, rather than dispensed into a sump and applied to the article as a ready-to-use composition. In additional aspects, the methods of using highly concentrated alkaline and/or acid compositions in an alternating pattern of alkaline-acid-alkaline or acid-alkaline-acid, or the like, provide substantially similar or superior cleaning efficacy while reducing the overall consumption of the alkaline and/or acid compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Steven J. Lange, Altony J. Miralles, Michael S. Rischmiller
  • Patent number: 9138785
    Abstract: A cleaning and inspection system includes a cleaning chamber and retaining structure disposed within the cleaning chamber and configured to secure an article to be cleaned within the cleaning chamber. The cleaning and inspection system also includes a gas distributor disposed within the cleaning chamber and configured to distribute a turbulent flow of gas into the cleaning chamber that facilitates removal of foreign particles from a surface of the article. Further, the system includes a particle collection surface positioned to collect foreign particles removed from the surface of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Lun Lu, Sheng-Chi Chin
  • Patent number: 9138122
    Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher having a single phase synchronous electric motor (SPSEM), wherein the rotational speed of the SPSEM is controlled by a controller for reduced level of noise and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron P. Bennett, Marvin R. Mealman
  • Patent number: 9138782
    Abstract: A collector for collecting wash liquid from an engine washing operation including an inlet duct to receive wash liquid from the wash operation; a plurality of droplet separators to retain the wash liquid within the collector while allowing air to flow out of the collector; a base to receive the wash liquid; an outlet connected to the base to discharge wash liquid from the collector; and a plurality of wheels connected to the base for moving the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9133420
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for cleaning medical and dental instruments. The disclosed compositions are preferably non-foaming or generate low foam to allow visual inspection of the cleaning process as well as safe handling of the instruments. The disclosed compositions preferably employ select proteases, a carbonate and a nonionic surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Ortmann, Katherine Vetter, Thomas R. Mohs, Anthony W. Erickson
  • Patent number: 9126241
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus (10) comprises a drive arrangement (16). A discrete holding means (12) is mountable on the drive arrangement. The holding means comprises a flexible elongate cleaning member (14) and a housing (18) for housing at least a portion of the elongate cleaning member. The cleaning apparatus further includes a transmission arrangement (20) for transmitting drive from the drive arrangement to the elongate cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Inventor: Ali Waqar Majeed
  • Patent number: 9108226
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment configured for mounting a conventional household sponge to the chuck of a cordless electric screwdriver. The cleaning attachment relieves a person of the manual labor involved in scrubbing a surface with a sponge by hand. The cleaning attachment also eliminates the need to purchase a specialized sponge that is designed and sold specifically to operate in conjunction with a rotary tool. The sponge can be easily dismounted, flipped over, and reattached for continued use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: SerVaas Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Paul SerVaas
  • Patent number: 9079224
    Abstract: A cylinder head cleaning method capable of cleaning a cylinder head with an enhanced foreign matter removing rate. The method is used to clean a cylinder head having therein a water jacket including a narrow space portion having a narrow flow path and a large space having a flow path wider than the narrow space portion, and the cylinder head further including holes communicating with the water jacket. Cleaning nozzles are inserted into the water jacket from the holes selected from the holes, clearing liquid is ejected from the cleaning nozzles toward the narrow space portion, and the cleaning liquid flowing from the narrow space portion to the large space is discharged to the outside of the cylinder head from the hole communicating with the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi Noda, Katsuhiro Amaike, Masato Yoshida, Takashi Ooura, Hiromi Harada
  • Patent number: 9072272
    Abstract: A milking installation includes first and second fluid systems (S1; S2) and a coupling arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the first fluid system (S1) to and from the second fluid system (S2). In a connected state, the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are in fluid communication with one another, and in a disconnected state the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are not in fluid communication with one another. The coupling arrangement includes a common cavity (CC) configured to be alternately included in the first fluid system (S1) or in the second fluid system (S2) for through passage of fluid while the first and second fluid systems (S1, S2) are disconnected from one another. The first fluid system (S1) also has a by-pass arrangement configured to allow fluid in the first fluid system (S1) to circulate independently from the passage of fluid through the common cavity (CC) when the common cavity (CC) is included in the second fluid system (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DELAVAL HOLDING AB
    Inventors: Epke Bosma, Martin Sjolund, Staffan Persson
  • Patent number: 9063107
    Abstract: A rinsing and drying apparatus of a clinical analyzer probe drain station is provided. The rinsing and drying apparatus has a group of nozzles that are offset from a longitudinal axis of a probe passage and may be inclined and oriented to provide tangentially oriented fluid-jet trajectories exiting into the sample probe passage. The offset nozzles, nozzle orientation, and cavity geometrical features of the device permit the drying capacity of probe-impinging planar air-knife jets to be maximized by stabilizing local internal fluid movement to form a swirling (e.g., helical) gas flow field directed away from a drying region and toward a vacuum exhaust. The rinsing and drying apparatus eliminates rinse water re-circulated entrainment and up-wash (spitting) during the air-knife drying operation. Therefore, the rinsing and drying apparatus significantly reduces water carryout on sampling probes thereby reducing sample/reagent dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Waterbury, Antoine Elias Haddad, John Paul Mizzer
  • Patent number: 9032979
    Abstract: An improved portable cleaning system for use in cleaning heat exchanger tube bundles, fin-fans, towers and other elongated components. The cleaning system comprises a cleaning unit having a cleaning enclosure that receives and cleans the component and a control unit that controls the operation of the system. The cleaning unit has a cleaning enclosure defining a chamber sized and configured to receive the component through a sealable lid. A roller assembly rotates the component while a spray assembly sprays cleaning fluid over and into the rotating component. The cleaning fluid is heated in the chamber using surface heating elements attached to heat transfer plates along sections of the chamber walls. A vapor recovery system captures and treats toxic vapors. In use, the cleaning system is transported to a facility to clean the components on-site using cleaning fluid supplied by the facility and discharging waste to the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Gary I Hays
  • Patent number: 9028615
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes at least one component having a surface that can become laden with organic dirt. The surface includes a photocatalyst and is made from a primary-formed first material in which the photocatalyst is dispersed. A photoradiation source is provided for irradiating the photocatalyst with an activating electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Eglmeier, Andreas Hanau, Hartmut Schaub, Ingo Schulze
  • Patent number: 9022044
    Abstract: A portable vehicle wash system for use during pre-wash and post-wash procedures preferably includes a portable and collapsible free-standing frame capable of may be positioned over an existing vehicle. Such a free-standing frame preferably includes first and second support sections. Each of the first and second support section preferably includes a fluid discharge section, and a plurality of legs integrally formed with the fluid discharge section. Notably, the fluid discharge section of the first support section is isolated from the fluid discharge section of the second support section. A hose is also provided in fluid communication with the free-standing frame. In this manner, the hose may be coupled to an existing water supply source such that water is simultaneously channeled through the free-standing frame and simultaneously dispersed out from the fluid discharge section of each of the first and second support sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher Jackson
  • Patent number: 9017488
    Abstract: A process for quickly removing hydrocarbon contaminants and noxious gases in a safe and effective manner from catalytic reactors, other media packed process vessels and associated equipment in the vapor phase without using steam. The cleaning agent contains one or more solvents, such as terpenes or other organic solvents. The cleaning agent is injected into contaminated equipment, along with a carrier gas, in the form of a cleaning vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Refined Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Cody Nath, Barry Baker, Sean Sears
  • Patent number: 9011607
    Abstract: An automated process for monitoring and controlling cleaning in a production area comprises tracking or identifying an object the production area, monitoring the movement of fluid in the production area, analyzing the interaction between the object and the fluid to determine a level of cleanliness achieved, and triggering an event based on at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (i) the interaction between the object or body part and the fluid or fluid-like medium and (ii) the level of cleanliness achieved. The event comprises at least one member selected from generating a report, activating an alarm, report, activating an alarm, inactivating equipment in the production area, and blocking access to at least a portion of the production area. The system employing a combination of computer(s), computer vision system(s), RFID tag(s), mechanical and electromechanical, chemical, electrical, or photonic device(s) to conduct the tracking, identifying, monitoring, and triggering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Sealed Air Corporation (US)
    Inventors: Nicholas De Luca, Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 8997764
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a wafer-shaped article, comprises a spin chuck for holding a wafer-shaped article in a predetermined orientation, at least one upper nozzle for dispensing a treatment fluid onto an upwardly facing surface of a wafer-shaped article when positioned on the spin chuck, and at least one lower nozzle arm comprising a series of lower nozzles extending from a central region of the spin chuck to a peripheral region of the spin chuck. The series of nozzles comprises a smaller nozzle in a central region of the spin chuck and a larger nozzle in a peripheral region of the spin chuck. In the method according to the invention, a heated liquid is supplied through the series of nozzles so as to supply more heat to peripheral regions of a wafer than to central regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventor: Michael Puggl
  • Patent number: 8984696
    Abstract: A random orbit scrubber comprises a main body having a front end and a rear end, a squeegee assembly coupled to the rear end of the main body, and a cleaning head assembly coupled to the front end of the main body. The cleaning head assembly can include a cleaning element structured for contact with a floor surface. The cleaning head assembly can further include a motor that is operable to impart rotational and orbital movement on the cleaning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.
    Inventors: William Randall Stuchlik, Donald Joseph Legatt
  • Patent number: 8980009
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for at least partially removing a contamination layer (15) from an optical surface (14a) of an EUV-reflective optical element (14) by bringing a cleaning gas into contact with the contamination layer. In the method, a jet (20) of cleaning gas is directed to the contamination layer (15) for removing material from the contamination layer (15). The contamination layer (15) is monitored for generating a signal indicative of the thickness of the contamination layer (15) and the jet (20) of cleaning gas is controlled by moving the jet (20) of cleaning gas relative to the optical surface (14a) using this signal as a feedback signal. A cleaning arrangement (19 to 24) for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The invention also relates to a method for generating a jet (20) of cleaning gas and to a corresponding cleaning gas generation arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH, ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Dirk Heinrich Ehm, Arnold Storm, Johannes Hubertus Josephina Moors, Bastiaan Theodoor Wolschrijn, Thomas Stein, Edwin te Sligte
  • Patent number: 8974605
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic device manufacturing system is provided, including: introducing an inert gas into a process tool vacuum pump at a first flow rate while the process tool is operating in a process mode; and introducing the inert gas into the process tool vacuum pump at a second flow rate while the process tool is operating in a clean mode. Numerous other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel O. Clark, Phil Chandler, Jay J. Jung
  • Patent number: 8968480
    Abstract: Unprocessed, processed or refined hydrocarbon liquids as well as processed vegetable derived oil contaminants may be sequestered from a contaminated surface by applying onto the surface a blend comprising crumb rubber and hydrated magnesium silicate. The contaminated surface may be a solid surface (such as one composed of concrete, cement or asphalt) as well as an aqueous surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Oil Spill Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Fred Wulf, Phillip D. Calvert