Abstract: A magnetic lid switch assembly includes a first magnetically actuated electrical switch that has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the first switch is open and a second position wherein the first switch is closed. A second magnetically actuated electrical switch electrically is connected in series with the first switch. The second switch has a lever arm movable between a first position wherein the second switch is open and a second position wherein the second switch is closed. A first actuator is magnetically coupled to the first switch. The first actuator moves the lever arm of the first switch closing the first switch to enable the first switch to pass an electric current when the first actuator is positioned proximate the first switch. A second actuator is magnetically coupled to the second switch.

Abstract: Low profile wash pads, usable alone or with other like pads in a module array, are disclosed whereby one or more motor driven or motorless vehicles may be wheeled onto or across (or other object placed upon) a full drainage impervious washing platform such that substantially all spent wash liquid and removed debris are caused to flow off from the washing platform to an edge collector or gutter. Debris accumulation at the washing platform is avoided and processing of gutter-contained spent wash liquid and removed debris can occur in offset relation to and without interfering with ongoing washing on the washing platform. Several modes for processing the drainage comprising spent wash liquid and removed debris contained in the gutter are disclosed, one mode comprising automated processing using a screw conveyor.

Abstract: An aqueous tube cleaning apparatus and method includes a cleaning receptacle and a vertical receptacle, which is taller than the cleaning receptacle. A tube, or bundle of tubes, is placed in the cleaning receptacle, extending through an inlet port from the vertical receptacle, and a gate is closed to clamp the tubes in place. The vertical receptacle is then filled with a fluid, and the pressure created by gravity forces the fluid through and around the tubes, cleansing the inner and outer surfaces of the tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the bevel of a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus generally includes a cell body having upstanding walls and a fluid drain basin, a rotatable vacuum chuck positioned centrally positioned in the fluid drain basin, and at least 3 substrate centering members positioned at equal radial increments around the rotatable vacuum chuck. The substrate centering members include a vertically oriented shaft having a longitudinal axis extending therethrough, a cap member positioned over an upper terminating end of the shaft, a raised central portion formed onto the cap member, the raised central portion having a maximum thickness at a location the coincides with the longitudinal axis, and a substrate centering post positioned on the cap member radially outward of the raised central portion, an upper terminating end of the substrate centering post extending from the cap member to a distance that exceeds the maximum thickness.

Abstract: An object is subjected to high-pressure processing by bringing at least a high-pressure fluid into contact with the object under pressure in a high-pressure processing chamber, and then the high-pressure processing chamber is depressurized while the temperature in the chamber is controlled to be maintained above a temperature achieved by an adiabatic expansion, the adiabatic expansion starting from the pressure and temperature at the end of the high-pressure processing step. To control in such a way, the temperature in the high-pressure processing chamber is controlled so as to suppress or recover a temperature descent caused by an adiabatic expansion during the depressurizing step. This solves a problem in which the temperature is decreased to the vapor-liquid phase coexistence region or a region in which a solid is deposited.

Abstract: A substrate holding device according to the present invention comprises: a motor; a rotating shaft rotated by the driving force of the motor; a spin base coupled to the rotating shaft and rotated integrally with the rotating shaft; a cover member surrounding the motor and having its one end arranged in the vicinity of the spin base; a rotating ring fixed to a surface, opposite to the cover member, of the spin base; a fixed ring arranged opposite to the rotating ring along the axis of the rotating shaft; a spring provided at the one end of the cover member for elastically urging the fixed ring toward the rotating ring; and clean gas supply mechanism for supplying clean gas to a space between the rotating ring and the fixed ring.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for flushing, washing, and priming microscale devices for reuse. Washing and priming methods include flowing solutions from a manifold to flush wells and microchannels of a microfluidic chip. Systems include manifolds adapted to seal and flow solutions or gasses into chip wells. Devices include microfluidic devices with data storage modules to track the reprocessing status of the microscale devices.

Abstract: A dispenser of washing agents for a household washing machine, in particular a dish-washer, comprises a body (2), at least one compartment (6) for containing a washing agent, and a lid (7), which may be tipped over or turned about a first axis of rotation (8) between a position of closing and a respective first position of at least partial opening of the compartment (6), so as to enable delivery of the washing agent. According to the invention, there are envisaged articulation means (4), which are interconnected between the body (2) and the lid (7) and are operative for enabling the latter to turn about a second axis of rotation (5) between said closing position and a respective second position of at least partial opening of the compartment (6) so as to enable charging in the latter of the washing agent to be delivered.

Abstract: An ultrasonic washing apparatus, comprising a body part, an ultrasonic vibrating horn exposed to the outside of the body part, a liquid feeding means for feeding liquid to the ultrasonic vibrating horn, and a mounting means for mounting the body part at any position, the mounting means further comprising a support arm to be installed on an installed object such as a full automatic washing machine, wherein the support arm is extendable, energized in a retracting direction by a helical tension spring, and can stop an extension at any length with a fixing screw, and the body part can change an attitude or a position relative to the mounting means.

Abstract: A nozzle tip having two faces and methods of using the nozzle tip are described. The nozzle tip has a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The proximal end has an opening defined by a first face including a first edge, and a second face including a second edge, wherein the first face is at an angle of from about 20 degrees to about 120 degrees relative to the axis, and the second face is at an angle of from about 15 degrees to about 70 degrees relative to the axis. The nozzle tip can be incorporated into a device or assembly for skiving.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a laundry weight of a washing machine can correctly detect a laundry weight of a washing machine. To this end, a motor of a washing machine is driven at a first speed and then at a second speed, and a laundry weight is detected on the basis of a value of a first current for driving the motor at the first speed and a value of a second current for driving the motor at the second speed.

Abstract: There is provided a reliable method for sensing a laundry amount and a method for controlling a washing machine, in which a method for sensing a laundry amount is performed appropriately according to the laundry amount. According to the method of the present invention, the reliability in the sensed laundry amount is improved.

Abstract: A one compartment dishwasher (1) has a dishwashing compartment, in which spray means (4b) for spraying dishwashing liquid and rinsing liquid are arranged, a dishwashing container (5) and a rinsing container (6). The dishwashing container (5) communicates with the dishwashing compartment to receive through a collecting plate (8) liquid that has been discharged by the spray means (4b). The dishwasher has a recirculation rinsing container (7) for recirculation rinsing liquid which during a pre-rinsing phase preceding the rinsing phase is to be supplied to the dishwashing compartment by the spray means (4b). The collecting plate (8) has a first outlet means (9) which is adapted to conduct collected liquid to the recirculation rinsing container (7), and a second outlet means (10, 11) which is adapted to conduct collected liquid to the dishwashing container (5) when the recirculation rinsing container (7) is filled up.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus 10 includes a holding table 20 for rotatably holding a wafer W, a nozzle 40 for supplying chemical solutions L1 and L2 to the wafer W, at least one light irradiation units G1 and G2, and a pot 30 placed in the outer radius of the holding table 20for collecting the processing solutions L1 and L2 that are scattered from the wafer W. The pot 30 also includes a cover 70 that can be moved in the direction of the axis of the holding table 20so that a plurality of chemical solution collecting chambers M1 and M2 are formed in the pot by changing the position of the cover 70.

Abstract: A water recirculator in a dishwasher supplies water to spray arms for washing dishes and also purifies contaminated water after washing the dishes. The water recirculator includes a sump for holding water, a water supply pump connected to the sump, a guide passage for guiding a portion of the water pumped by the water supply pump to a spray arm in a washing chamber, a pre-filtering unit for purifying a rest of the water pumped by the water pumped by the water supply pump by means of precipitating contaminants included in the water therein, and a main filtering unit for purifying the rest of the water passed through the pre-filtering unit.

Abstract: The invention proposes a household appliance, in particular a dishwasher, a washing machine or the like, having a liquid circuit and a pump which has a pump casing which comprises a heating element (3) for heating the liquid, which element is adapted, with a heat-conducting contact area (20), to the outer shape (2) of the casing with an at least partial form fit. In this case, the heating system of the household appliance according to the invention is intended to have an improved efficiency. This is achieved, according to the invention, by the contact area (20) being at least half the size of the entire outer area of the heating element.

Abstract: A carboy support bracket is disclosed for use with a basin, the basin having a peripheral wall having an upper surface defining a generally horizontal plane, the carboy support bracket comprising a frame configured for stable positioning on the upper surface of the peripheral wall, and an aperture for receiving and retaining a carboy in a generally inverted position. Heavy glass carboys used in wine and beer making by hobbyists can thereby be manipulated with ease during cleaning and drying, preventing build-up of sediment and condensation.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher comprises an open-faced cabinet defining a wash chamber and a utensil rack mounted within the wash chamber. The utensil rack comprises a frame mounted to the cabinet and a basket removably mounted to the frame, and the frame and the basket are configured such that the basket is vertically adjustable relative to the frame. Additionally, the basket comprises a plurality of basket elements that are complementary to form a whole basket. Further, the dishwasher includes a pair of slides for slidably mounting the frame to the cabinet. The slides comprise a track that slidably receives a wheel on the utensil rack and includes an access opening for insertion or removal of the wheel from the track. A closure for selectively closing the access opening prevents undesired removal of the wheel from the track.

Abstract: A method of performing a spinning operation of a washing machine is disclosed. First, a load weight of wet clothes contained in a tub is measured, and an optimal acceleration rate is calculated based upon the measured load weight. Finally, a rotational speed of the tub is gradually increased up to a predetermined speed at the calculated optimal acceleration rate such that the unbalanced distribution of the wet clothes within the tub is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dishwasher, by which an appropriate quantity of water can be stably supplied. The present invention includes a sump storing water therein, a floater received in a chamber having a predetermined volume, the floater ascending according to a rise of a water level of the sump, a switch preventing the water from being oversupplied to the sump, a pushing member lifted by the floater to turn on the switch by pushing the switch, and an off-delay part delaying the switch to be turned off on a descent of the floater.