Patents by Inventor Naoki TOYOMURA

Naoki TOYOMURA 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).

  • Publication number: 20230405762
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Kuniaki YAMAGUCHI, Itsuki KOBATA, Toshio MIZUNO, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Naoki TOYOMURA, Takuya INOUE
  • Patent number: 11846536
    Abstract: A sensor target cover capable of preventing an optical liquid level detection sensor from erroneously detecting a rise in a liquid level is provided. A sensor target cover is used in combination with an optical liquid level detection sensor. The sensor target cover includes a reflecting plate, an inner wall structure surrounding the reflecting plate, and an outer wall structure surrounding the inner wall structure. A gap is formed between the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20230352326
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing unit configured to polish a substrate by bringing a polishing tool into contact with the substrate and moving the substrate relatively to the polishing tool; a cleaning unit; and a first transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate before polishing to the polishing unit and/or configured to transfer the substrate after polishing from the polishing unit to the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes: at least one cleaning module, a buff processing module configured to perform a buff process to the substrate, and a second transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the cleaning module and the buff processing module, the second transfer robot being different from the first robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kuniaki YAMAGUCHI, Toshio MIZUNO, Itsuki KOBATA, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Naoki TOYOMURA, Takuya INOUE
  • Patent number: 11731240
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Itsuki Kobata, Toshio Mizuno, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Naoki Toyomura, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 11195736
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to detach a substrate from a table without damaging the substrate by lift pins. One embodiment of the present invention provides a substrate processing apparatus having a vacuum suction table adapted to have a substrate placed thereon, and a plurality of lift pins disposed along the outer periphery of the vacuum suction table. The lift pins each have a distal end portion including a substrate guide surface capable of guiding the outer peripheral end surface of the substrate, and a proximal end portion including a substrate holding surface extending from the substrate guide surface outwardly in a radial direction of the lift pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 11103972
    Abstract: In-plane uniformity of buff processing is improved. According to a first form, a buff processing device for executing buff processing of a substrate is provided. Such buff processing device has a rotatable shaft, a buff head body, a torque transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the shaft to the buff head body, and an elastic member for elastically supporting the buff head body in a longitudinal direction of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideo Aizawa, Junji Kunisawa, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Naoki Toyomura
  • Patent number: 10898987
    Abstract: Provided is a wet substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate. The apparatus comprises a table for holding a substrate, and a process liquid feeding mechanism for feeding process liquid to the substrate held on the table. The table includes a support face for supporting the substrate, a first opening formed in the support face, a second opening formed in the support face and arranged at least partially around the first opening, a first fluid path configured to extend to the first opening of the support face via the table and be connectable to a vacuum source, and a second fluid path configured to extend to the second opening of the support face via the table and discharge the process liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Junji Kunisawa
  • Publication number: 20210013071
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided. The polishing apparatus includes: a polishing unit configured to polish a substrate by bringing a polishing tool into contact with the substrate and moving the substrate relatively to the polishing tool; a cleaning unit; and a first transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate before polishing to the polishing unit and/or configured to transfer the substrate after polishing from the polishing unit to the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes: at least one cleaning module, a buff processing module configured to perform a buff process to the substrate, and a second transfer robot configured to transfer the substrate between the cleaning module and the buff processing module, the second transfer robot being different from the first robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Toshio Mizuno, Itsuki Kobata, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Naoki Toyomura, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 10847407
    Abstract: A substrate holding apparatus that can minimize a deflection amount of a substrate due to its own weight and can suppress vibration of the substrate at the time of rotation of the substrate even if a diameter of the substrate becomes large is disclosed. The substrate holding apparatus holds a periphery of a substrate and rotates the substrate. The substrate holding apparatus includes a plurality of support posts supported by a base and vertically movable relative to the base, a plurality of chucks respectively provided on the plurality of support posts and configured to hold the periphery of the substrate, and at least one support pin configured to support a lower surface of the substrate held by the plurality of chucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20200049546
    Abstract: A sensor target cover capable of preventing an optical liquid level detection sensor from erroneously detecting a rise in a liquid level is provided. A sensor target cover is used in combination with an optical liquid level detection sensor. The sensor target cover includes a reflecting plate, an inner wall structure surrounding the reflecting plate, and an outer wall structure surrounding the inner wall structure. A gap is formed between the inner wall structure and the outer wall structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki TOYOMURA, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI
  • Patent number: 10438820
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including: a first valve provided between a gas supply source and an air-water separation tank, the first valve opening and closing a flow path of a gas supplied from the gas supply source; a second valve that opens and closes a flow path of liquid discharged from a discharge port of the air-water separation tank; and a control unit that controls the first valve and the second valve. The discharge port of the air-water separation tank communicates with a discharge port of a cleaning chamber that cleans the substrate, and the control unit controls to close the first valve after preset gas supply time elapses from when the first valve is opened and gas can no longer be discharged from the air-water separation tank and controls to close the second valve after the first valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Akira Imamura
  • Publication number: 20190118338
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Kuniaki YAMAGUCHI, Itsuki KOBATA, Toshio MIZUNO, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Naoki TOYOMURA, Takuya INOUE
  • Publication number: 20190115230
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including: a first valve provided between a gas supply source and an air-water separation tank, the first valve opening and closing a flow path of a gas supplied from the gas supply source; a second valve that opens and closes a flow path of liquid discharged from a discharge port of the air-water separation tank; and a control unit that controls the first valve and the second valve, wherein the discharge port of the air-water separation tank communicates with a discharge port of a cleaning chamber that cleans the substrate, and the control unit controls to close the first valve after preset gas supply time elapses from when the first valve is opened and gas can no longer be discharged from the air-water separation tank and controls to close the second valve after the first valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Naoki TOYOMURA, Akira IMAMURA
  • Patent number: 10201888
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Itsuki Kobata, Toshio Mizuno, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Naoki Toyomura, Takuya Inoue
  • Publication number: 20180345452
    Abstract: In-plane uniformity of buff processing is improved. According to a first form, a buff processing device for executing buff processing of a substrate is provided. Such buff processing device has a rotatable shaft, a buff head body, a torque transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the shaft to the buff head body, and an elastic member for elastically supporting the buff head body in a longitudinal direction of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Hideo AIZAWA, Junji KUNISAWA, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Naoki TOYOMURA
  • Patent number: 10121692
    Abstract: There is disclosed an improved substrate holding apparatus which can minimize deformation of a spring, which is provided to bias a support post for supporting a substrate, even when a large centrifugal force acts on the spring. The substrate holding apparatus includes: a support post movable in an axial direction thereof; a chuck provided on the support post and configured to hold a periphery of a substrate; a spring biasing the support post in the axial direction; a first structure configured to restrict a movement of an upper portion of the spring in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the support post; and a second structure configured to restrict a movement of a lower portion of the spring in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the support post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Takuya Inoue
  • Publication number: 20170252895
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Kuniaki YAMAGUCHI, Itsuki KOBATA, Toshio MIZUNO, Mitsuru MIYAZAKI, Naoki TOYOMURA, Takuya INOUE
  • Patent number: 9700988
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Itsuki Kobata, Toshio Mizuno, Mitsuru Miyazaki, Naoki Toyomura, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: D790489
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Toyomura, Mitsuru Miyazaki
  • Patent number: D795315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuru Miyazaki, Kuniaki Yamaguchi, Naoki Toyomura, Takuya Inoue