Patents by Inventor Norihiro Ito

Norihiro Ito 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: 9177838
    Abstract: A top plate 32 is provided to be moved in a horizontal direction between an advanced position, in which the top plate 32 covers from above a substrate W held by a substrate holding unit 21, and a retracted position that is retracted from the advanced position. An air hood 70 configured to supply a purified gas downward is provided to be lifted between a lower position, in which the air hood covers from above the substrate W held by the substrate holding unit 21, and an upper position located above the lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiro Ito, Kazuhiro Aiura, Naoki Shindo, Yosuke Hachiya, Takashi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20150187613
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus of the present disclosure supplies a plurality of processing liquids from a processing liquid supplying unit in a switching manner to a substrate held on a substrate holding unit. An elevatable inner cup surrounds the substrate holding unit laterally and forms a first drain path that drains the first processing liquid. An outer cup surrounds the inner cup and forms a second drain path that drains the second processing liquid. A cover covers the outside of the outer cup, includes an eaves portion that extends inwardly from an upper side, and forms an exhaust path between the cover and the outer cup. The exhaust path is connected to the first drain path and the second drain path above inlets of the first drain path and the second drain path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Terufumi Wakiyama, Norihiro Ito, Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 9012902
    Abstract: Provided is an organic electroluminescent element superior in long-term durability and lifetime characteristics. The organic electroluminescent element has a structure where plurality of light-emitting layers formed via an intermediate layer are interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The intermediate layer has a mixed layer, a first layer, and a hole-injection layer which are formed in this order from the positive electrode to the negative electrode, the mixed layer containing an electron-donating substance and an electron-transporting organic material, and the first layer being made of an electron-transporting material. The first layer has a thickness in a range of 0.2 to 2.0 nm. The hole-injection layer consists of an electro-accepting organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ide, Norihiro Ito, Hiroya Tsuji, Yuko Suzuka
  • Publication number: 20150090305
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus performs a liquid processing on a rotating substrate by supplying a processing liquid. Surrounding members surround a region including an upper space of a cup body surrounding the rotating substrate and provided with an opening above the substrate. An air flow forming portion forms a descending air flow from an upper side of the cup body. A bottom surface portion blocks between the cup body and the surrounding member along a circumferential direction. An exhaust port is provided above the bottom surface portion and outside the cup body to exhaust an atmosphere in a region surrounded by the surrounding members and the bottom surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Terufumi Wakiyama, Norihiro Ito, Jiro Higashijima
  • Patent number: 8950414
    Abstract: The liquid processing apparatus includes: a liquid supply mechanism; a supply line connected to the liquid supply mechanism, the supply line having a discharge opening for discharging a temperature-regulated liquid; a processing unit supporting the discharge opening of the supply line; a return line configured to return the liquid supplied to the supply line to the liquid supply mechanism; and a liquid-supply switching valve configured to switch between supply of the liquid, which is used in a processing of an object to be processed in the processing unit, and stoppage of the liquid supply. The liquid-supply switching valve is disposed on the supply line on a route of the liquid returning from the supply line to the liquid supply mechanism through the return line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Norihiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20140261172
    Abstract: A substrate liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding unit configured to hold and rotate a substrate; a processing liquid nozzle configured to supply a processing liquid to the substrate; a cylindrical liquid receiving cup configured to receive and recover the processing liquid scattered from the substrate; a housing configured to accommodate the substrate holding unit and the liquid receiving cup; a cup exhaust path connected to the liquid receiving cup to exhaust atmosphere inside the liquid receiving cup; a cup exhaust path pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the cup exhaust path; a housing pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the housing outside the liquid receiving cup; and a control unit configured to alert when a difference between a value detected by the housing pressure sensor and a value detected by the cup exhaust path pressure sensor is a predetermined determination reference value or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Norihiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20140248774
    Abstract: The liquid treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a substrate holder configured to horizontally hold a substrate, and a top plate configured to be rotatable and to cover the substrate held by the substrate holder from above so as to define a treatment space. In the treatment space, a chemical liquid is supplied by a chemical liquid nozzle onto the substrate, and an atmosphere replacement gas is supplied by a replacement nozzle into the treatment space. The replacement nozzle is supported by a replacement nozzle support arm configured to be horizontally moved between an advanced position at which the replacement nozzle support arm is advanced into the treatment space and a retracted position at which the replacement nozzle support arm is retracted outside from the treatment space. The replacement nozzle is configured to discharge, above the substrate, the atmosphere replacement gas upward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Aiura, Norihiro Ito
  • Publication number: 20140137902
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a rotary cup that is provided at a substrate holding unit to surround a substrate held thereon and to be rotated along with the substrate holding unit, and configured to guide a processing liquid dispersed from the substrate; and an outer cup that is provided around the rotary cup with a gap therebetween and configured to collect the guided processing liquid by the rotary cup. Further, a height of an upper end of the rotary cup is higher than that of the outer cup. Furthermore, an outward protrusion protruded outwards in a radial direction thereof and extended along a circumference thereof is provided at an upper end portion of an outer surface of the rotary cup, and the outward protrusion blocks mist of the processing liquid dispersed from the gap between the rotary cup and the outer cup toward a space above the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Aiura, Norihiro Ito, Hidetoshi Nakao, Kazuyoshi Shinohara, Satoru Tanaka, Yuki Yoshida, Meitoku Aibara
  • Publication number: 20140014937
    Abstract: Provided is an organic electroluminescent element superior in long-term durability and lifetime characteristics. The organic electroluminescent element has a structure where plurality of light-emitting layers formed via an intermediate layer are interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The intermediate layer has a mixed layer, a first layer, and a hole-injection layer which are formed in this order from the positive electrode to the negative electrode, the mixed layer containing an electron-donating substance and an electron-transporting organic material, and the first layer being made of an electron-transporting material. The first layer has a thickness in a range of 0.2 to 2.0 nm. The hole-injection layer consists of an electro-accepting organic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ide, Norihiro Ito, Hiroya Tsuji, Yuko Suzuka
  • Publication number: 20130340796
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a substrate processing apparatus including: a substrate processing chamber configured to process a substrate on which a target layer to be removed is formed on the surface of an underlying layer; a substrate holding unit provided in the substrate processing chamber and configured to hold the substrate; a mixed liquid supplying unit configured to supply a mixed liquid of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide to the substrate held by the substrate holding unit in a mixing ratio of the hydrogen peroxide and a temperature that does not damage the underlying layer while removing the target layer; and an OH-group supplying unit configured to supply a fluid containing OH-group to the substrate in an amount that does not damage the underlying layer when the mixed liquid and the OH-group are mixed on the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Hisashi Kawano, Norihiro Ito, Yosuke Hachiya, Jun Nogami, Kotaro Ooishi, Itaru Kanno
  • Publication number: 20130319476
    Abstract: A liquid treatment apparatus includes a substrate holding member (22) that holds a substrate (W) horizontally, a rotation mechanism (25) that rotates the substrate holding member; a chemical liquid nozzle (56a) that supplies a chemical liquid to the substrate held by the substrate holding member; a top plate (50) that covers the substrate held by the substrate holding member from above the substrate; and at least one LED lamp (62) that heats the substrate during a chemical liquid treatment by irradiating the substrate with light of a predetermined wavelength through the top plate from above the top plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Aiura, Norihiro Ito, Takashi Nagai
  • Publication number: 20130284213
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a substrate processing method and a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing method includes: generating an SPM liquid of a first temperature that contains Caro's acid having a separation effect of a resist film formed on the surface of a substrate by mixing heated sulfuric acid with hydrogen peroxide; cooling the SPM liquid to a second temperature at which a reduction effect of film loss occurs; and applying the SPM liquid of the second temperature to the resist film thereby separating the resist film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yosuke Hachiya, Norihiro Ito, Hisashi Kawano, Jun Nonaka, Jun Nogami
  • Patent number: 8530916
    Abstract: An organic EL device in the present invention comprises a light-transmissive substrate 1, an organic light emitting layer 2, a light-transmissive electrode 3 disposed between the light-transmissive substrate 1 and the organic light emitting layer 2, and a light guiding layer 4 which is disposed between the substrate 1 and the light-transmissive electrode 3. The light guiding layer 4 is configured to alter light direction. The organic EL device is configured to emit light from the organic light emitting layer 2, and allow the light to propagate out through said light guiding layer 4, the light-transmissive electrode 3, and the light-transmissive substrate 1. The light guiding layer 4 includes a light dispersion layer 5. The light dispersion layer 5 is formed with a light dispersion region 8 and a light-transmissive region 9, which are arranged in a coplanar relation within said light dispersion layer 5. The light dispersion region 8 contains light dispersion particles 6 and a binder resin 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakamura, Takeyuki Yamaki, Yoshio Mitsutake, Masahito Yamana, Nobuhiro Ide, Norihiro Ito, Hiroya Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8519610
    Abstract: An organic luminescent element comprises a substrate, an organic electroluminescence element formed on one surface thereof and having a light-emitting section emitting light to the substrate, and a lens attached on the other surface of the substrate. A refraction index of the lens is ? that of the substrate. An area of the light-emitting section, parallel to the substrate's surface, is smaller than an area of the substrate on which the lens is attached. An angle ? between a line perpendicular to the substrate's surface in a direction from the light-emitting section toward the substrate and a straight line connecting an end of the light-emitting section and an end of the lens, is set to be ?60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroya Tsuji, Norihiro Ito, Yuko Matsuhisa, Nobuhiro Ide
  • Patent number: 8479753
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding member configured to rotate along with a substrate held thereon in a horizontal state; an annular rotary cup configured to surround the substrate held on the substrate holding member and to rotate along with the substrate; a rotation mechanism configured to integrally rotate the rotary cup and the substrate holding member; and a liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a process liquid onto the substrate. The apparatus further includes an annular drain cup configured to receive the process liquid discharged from the rotary cup, and provided with a drain port; and a circular flow generation element configured to generate a circular flow within the drain cup when the rotary cup and the substrate holding member are rotated, such that the circular flow serves to lead the process liquid within the drain cup to the drain port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nanba, Norihiro Ito
  • Patent number: 8475668
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate liquid processing apparatus, a substrate liquid processing method, and a computer readable storage medium having a substrate liquid processing program stored therein that can prevent the occurrence of the electrostatic breakdown caused by the discharge of electric charges in a substrate. The substrate liquid processing apparatus processes a circuit-forming surface of the substrate with a chemical liquid. Furthermore, prior to processing the substrate with the chemical liquid, the substrate liquid processing apparatus performs an anti-static process for an surface opposite to the circuit-forming surface of the substrate by an anti-static liquid, thereby emitting the electric charges on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Teruomi Minami, Yosuke Kawabuchi, Norihiro Ito, Fumihiro Kamimura, Takashi Yabuta, Kazuki Kosai, Takeshi Uno, Kenji Sekiguchi, Yasushi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130048609
    Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid processing apparatus and a liquid processing method. The liquid processing apparatus includes an ejection port ejecting a first liquid to a wafer, a first liquid supply mechanism supplying sulphuric acid to the ejection port, and a second liquid supply mechanism supplying hydrogen peroxide solution to the ejection port. The first liquid supply mechanism includes a first temperature adjustment mechanism maintaining the first liquid heated to a first temperature, a second temperature adjustment mechanism connected to the first temperature adjustment mechanism, and an ejection line connecting the second temperature adjustment mechanism with the ejection port. The second temperature adjustment mechanism includes a second circulation line and a second heater. The ejection line connects the second circulation line through a switching valve at a location further downstream than the second heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Norihiro Ito, Takashi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8371318
    Abstract: A liquid processing apparatus 1 comprises a casing 5, a substrate holding mechanism 20 that holds a wafer (substrate to be processed) W, a process-liquid supplying mechanism 30 that supplies a process liquid, a draining cup 12 that receives a process liquid, and a draining pipe 13 that discharges a process liquid outside. The process-liquid supplying mechanism 30 includes a first chemical-liquid supply mechanism that supplies a hydrofluoric process liquid, and a drying-liquid supplying mechanism that supplies an organic solvent for drying a wafer W. A control part 50 causes the first chemical-liquid supplying mechanism to supply a hydrofluoric process liquid, and then causes the drying-liquid supplying mechanism to supply an organic solvent. In addition, before the control part 50 causes the drying-liquid supplying mechanism to supply an organic solvent, the control part causes a cleaning mechanism 10 to remove an alkaline component in a casing 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Teruomi Minami, Norihiro Ito, Yuji Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 8373191
    Abstract: [Problem] The present invention aims to provide an electroluminescence device with an improved intermediate layer, for achieving a superior durability and sustainability performance thereof. [Solution] The present invention refers to organic electroluminescence devices having a plurality of light emitting layers 4 between an anode 1 and a cathode 2 with the intermediate layer 3 being interposed between two of the light emitting layers. The intermediate layer 3 comprises one layer 3a selected from a group consisting of a charge transfer complex layer made of a charge transfer complex, a metal layer made of a metal having a work function of 3.7 eV or less, and a metal compound layer made of a compound of the metal; an electrically conductive material-containing light transmissive layer 3b; a charge transport organic material layer 3c formed of a charge transport organic material; and a hole injection material layer 3d formed of a hole injection material, which are superimposed in this order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ide, Norihiro Ito, Hiroya Tsuji, Yuko Matsuhisa
  • Patent number: 8357930
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescence device comprises a light transmissive substrate, a light scattering region which is disposed on the light transmissive substrate, and a light emissive layer having a luminescent point. The luminescent point is spaced from the light reflective electrode by a distance of d which satisfies the following equation: nd = a × ? 4 ? ( 2 + ? ? ) wherein ? = tan - 1 ? { 2 ? ( n 1 ? k 2 - n 2 ? k 1 ) n 1 2 - n 2 2 + k 1 2 - k 2 2 } . ? is a wavelength of a specific light emitted from said light emissive layer. n is a refractive index of a layer disposed between the luminescent point of the light emissive layer and the light reflective electrode, with respect to the wavelength of ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Ide, Masahito Yamana, Hiroya Tsuji, Norihiro Ito, Yoshio Mitsutake, Masahiro Nakamura, Takeyuki Yamaki