Patents by Inventor Mark Meuris

Mark Meuris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6676765
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of removing particles and a liquid from a surface of a substrate using at least one rotating cleaning pad. The approach, according to the present invention, is a technique wherein a sharp liquid-vapor boundary is created on the surface of the substrate adjacent to the last wetted rotating cleaning pad of a plurality of rotating cleaning pads and particularly between this last wetted rotating cleaning pad and a first edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns
  • Patent number: 6568408
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing a liquid, i.e a wet processing liquid, from a surface of at least one substrate is disclosed. A liquid is supplied on a surface of substrate. Simultaneously or thereafter besides the liquid also a gaseous substance can be supplied thereby creating at least locally a sharply defined liquid-vapor boundary. The gaseous substance and the liquid can be selected such that the gaseous substance is miscible with the liquid and when mixed with the liquid yields a mixture having a surface tension lower than that of the liquid. According to the invention, the substrate is subjected to a rotary movement at a speed to guide said liquid-vapor boundary over said substrate thereby removing said liquid from said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC, vzw)
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns
  • Patent number: 6491764
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing a liquid, i.e a wet processing liquid, from a surface of at least one substrate is disclosed. A liquid is supplied on a surface of substrate. Simultaneously or thereafter besides the liquid also a gaseous substance can be supplied thereby creating at least locally a sharply defined liquid-vapor boundary. The gaseous substance and the liquid can be selected such that the gaseous substance is miscible with the liquid and when mixed with the liquid yields a mixture having a surface tension lower than that of the liquid. According to the invention, the substrate is subjected to a rotary movement at a speed to guide said liquid-vapor boundary over said substrate thereby removing said liquid from said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronics Centrum (IMEC)
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns
  • Publication number: 20020130106
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing a liquid, i.e a wet processing liquid, from a surface of at least one substrate is disclosed. A liquid is supplied on a surface of substrate. Simultaneously or thereafter besides the liquid also a gaseous substance can be supplied thereby creating at least locally a sharply defined liquid-vapor boundary. The gaseous substance and the liquid can be selected such that the gaseous substance is miscible with the liquid and when mixed with the liquid yields a mixture having a surface tension lower than that of the liquid. According to the invention, the substrate is subjected to a rotary movement at a speed to guide said liquid-vapor boundary over said substrate thereby removing said liquid from said substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns
  • Publication number: 20010042559
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing a liquid, i.e a wet processing liquid, from a surface of at least one substrate is disclosed. A liquid is supplied on a surface of substrate. Simultaneously or thereafter besides the liquid also a gaseous substance can be supplied thereby creating at least locally a sharply defined liquid-vapor boundary. The gaseous substance and the liquid can be selected such that the gaseous substance is miscible with the liquid and when mixed with the liquid yields a mixture having a surface tension lower than that of the liquid. According to the invention, the substrate is subjected to a rotary movement at a speed to guide said liquid-vapor boundary over said substrate thereby removing said liquid from said substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: PAUL MERTENS, MARK MEURIS, MARC HEYNS
  • Publication number: 20010022186
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of removing particles and a liquid from a surface of a substrate using at least one rotating cleaning pad. The approach, according to the present invention, is a technique wherein a sharp liquid-vapor boundary is created on the surface of the substrate adjacent to the last wetted rotating cleaning pad of a plurality of rotating cleaning pads and particularly between this last wetted rotating cleaning pad and a first edge of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: Interuniversitair Micro-Elektronica Centrum (IMEC, vzw)
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns
  • Patent number: 6261377
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method of removing particles and a liquid from a surface of a substrate using at least one rotating cleaning pad. The approach, according to the present invention, is a technique wherein a sharp liquid-vapor boundary is created on the surface of the substrate adjacent to the last wetted rotating cleaning pad of a plurality of rotating cleaning pads and particularly between this last wetted rotating cleaning pad and a first edge of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)
    Inventors: Paul Mertens, Mark Meuris, Marc Heyns