Patents by Inventor Toshimoto Nakagawa

Toshimoto Nakagawa 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: 7109037
    Abstract: The water-based resist stripping liquid management apparatus according to the present invention manages in an adjusting bath a water-based resist stripping liquid that is used in resist stripping equipment. In this apparatus, an absorptiometer that measures the water concentration in the water-based resist stripping liquid and an electrical conductivity meter that measures the degraded component concentration in the water-based resist stripping liquid are connected to a resist stripping treatment bath (adjusting bath) via pipelines, and at least one of a resist stripping stock liquid, a resist stripping reclaimed liquid, pure water, and a premixed resist stripping new liquid are fed into the resist stripping treatment bath in accordance with the measurement values obtained. As a result, the resist stripping performance of the water-based resist stripping liquid can be stably maintained, the amount of liquid used can be reduced, and the time for which operation is shut down can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignees: Nagase & Co., Ltd., Hirama Laboratories Co., Ltd., Nagase CMS Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 7101517
    Abstract: A processing solution preparation and supply apparatus includes a dissolving preparation bath to which a material powder and ultrapure water are supplied. This dissolving preparation bath is connected to a substrate processing apparatus via a pipe, and a processing solution prepared from the material powder on-site is supplied to the processing apparatus. To reduce an increase in the microorganism concentration in the ultrapure water, this ultrapure water is circulated substantially constantly. This suppresses deterioration and concentration fluctuations of a processing solution for use in processing of a semiconductor substrate, when this processing solution is supplied to the use side. This also reduces particles and improves the economical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignees: Nagase & Co., Ltd., Hirama Laboratories Co., Ltd., Nagase CMS Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Yasuyuki Kobayakawa, Makoto Kikukawa, Yutaka Saito, Yoshitaka Nishijima
  • Patent number: 6752545
    Abstract: A treating liquid adjusting equipment for adjusting an alkali-based treating liquid for use in treating an organic film applied onto a substrate, which includes an adjusting portion. The adjusting portion for adjusting an alkalinity of the alkali-based treating liquid is such that a concentration of a first component contained in the alkali-based treating liquid and constituting an organic film of a same type as or different type from the organic film is in a range of 0.0001 to 2.0 mass %, and a concentration of an alkali component contained in the alkali-based treating liquid is in a range of 0.05 to 2.5 mass %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignees: Nagase & Co., Ltd., Hirama Laboratories Co., Ltd., Nagase CMS Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Publication number: 20040011463
    Abstract: Resist stripping equipment includes a resist stripping system which includes a plurality of resist stripping chambers provided in a connected row arrangement and a rinse system which includes a rinse chamber. Insides of the resist stripping chambers are purged with nitrogen gas from a nitrogen gas supply system. Mixed gas which is generated in each chamber and contains a water-based resist stripping solution component is sent to a solution recovery/supply system for gas/liquid separation. Recovered resist stripping solution is returned into a stripping solution tank, while separated gas is supplied to a gas knife in each chamber and used for draining solution from a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Yasuyuki Kobayakawa, Makoto Kikukawa
  • Patent number: 6623183
    Abstract: The developer producing equipment of the present invention is connected via piping to working equipment in which electronic circuits, on which fine working is performed, are formed, and produces an alkali type developer used in the abovementioned working equipment. This developer producing equipment comprises a preparation tank to which a developer stock solution and pure water are supplied, and in which these are agitated, first liquid amount measuring means for measuring the amount of the alkali type developer inside the preparation tank, first alkali concentration measuring means for measuring the alkali concentration of the abovementioned alkali type developer, first liquid amount control means for adjusting the amount of the alkali type developer inside the preparation tank on the basis of the measured value obtained by the abovementioned first liquid amount measuring means the abovementioned first alkali concentration measuring means, and liquid supply control means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Nagase & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Publication number: 20030136763
    Abstract: A processing solution preparation and supply apparatus includes a dissolving preparation bath to which a material powder and ultrapure water are supplied. This dissolving preparation bath is connected to a substrate processing apparatus via a pipe, and a processing solution prepared from the material powder on-site is supplied to the processing apparatus. To reduce an increase in the microorganism concentration in the ultrapure water, this ultrapure water is circulated substantially constantly. This suppresses deterioration and concentration fluctuations of a processing solution for use in processing of a semiconductor substrate, when this processing solution is supplied to the use side. This also reduces particles and improves the economical efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Yasuyuki Kobayakawa, Makoto Kikukawa, Yutaka Saito, Yoshitaka Nishijima
  • Patent number: 6588927
    Abstract: The developer producing equipment of the present invention is equipped with a preparation tank to which a developer stock solution and pure water are supplied, and in which these ingredients are agitated, and a leveling tank which is connected to this preparation tank. The leveling tank is connected via piping to working equipment in which electronic circuits are formed. Furthermore, the preparation tank and leveling tank have first and second alkali concentration measuring means for measuring the alkali concentrations of the alkali type developer inside the respective tanks. In the preparation tank, either the amount of developer stock solution that is supplied to the tank or the amount of pure water that is supplied to the tank, or both, are adjusted on the basis of the measured value obtained by the first alkali concentration measuring means, so that an alkali type developer is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Nagase & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Publication number: 20030096199
    Abstract: The present invention has the object of supplying an alkali-based treating liquid capable of reducing the amount used for treatment and the amount of liquid wastes produced, having an excellent solubility with respect to an exposed organic film such as a photoresist, and an equipment for supplying the same. In a developing liquid supplying equipment of the present invention, a receiving bath is connected to a development treating equipment via a line, and a pre-treating portion such as a filter, an adjusting bath and a leveling bath are sequentially provided in the following stages of the receiving bath. A liquid supplying system and a control device are connected to the adjusting bath, and the concentrations of the dissolved photoresist component and the alkali component in a used liquid can be adjusted to certain values, based on actually measured values obtained with a densitometer. The obtained regenerated liquid is supplied to the development treating equipment through a line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Publication number: 20020197079
    Abstract: The non-water-based resist stripping liquid management apparatus according to the present invention manages in an adjusting bath a non-water-based resist stripping liquid that is used in resist stripping equipment. In this apparatus, an absorptiometer that measures the MEA concentration in the non-water-based resist stripping liquid and an analyzer that measures the degraded component concentration in the non-water-based resist stripping liquid are connected to a resist stripping treatment bath (adjusting bath) via pipelines, and at least one of a resist stripping stock liquid, an MEA stock liquid, a resist stripping reclaimed liquid, and a premixed resist stripping new liquid are fed into the resist stripping treatment bath in accordance with the measurement values obtained. As a result, the resist stripping performance of the non-water-based resist stripping liquid can be stably maintained, the amount of liquid used can be reduced, and the time for which operation is shut down can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Sho Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa
  • Publication number: 20020197869
    Abstract: The water-based resist stripping liquid management apparatus according to the present invention manages in an adjusting bath a water-based resist stripping liquid that is used in resist stripping equipment. In this apparatus, an absorptiometer that measures the water concentration in the water-based resist stripping liquid and an electrical conductivity meter that measures the degraded component concentration in the water-based resist stripping liquid are connected to a resist stripping treatment bath (adjusting bath) via pipelines, and at least one of a resist stripping stock liquid, a resist stripping reclaimed liquid, pure water, and a premixed resist stripping new liquid are fed into the resist stripping treatment bath in accordance with the measurement values obtained. As a result, the resist stripping performance of the water-based resist stripping liquid can be stably maintained, the amount of liquid used can be reduced, and the time for which operation is shut down can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Yuko Katagiri, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa
  • Publication number: 20020146251
    Abstract: The developer producing equipment of the present invention is connected via piping to working equipment in which electronic circuits, on which fine working is performed, are formed, and produces an alkali type developer used in the abovementioned working equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Publication number: 20020136087
    Abstract: The developer producing equipment of the present invention is equipped with a preparation tank to which a developer stock solution and pure water are supplied, and in which these ingredients are agitated, and a leveling tank which is connected to this preparation tank. The leveling tank is connected via piping to working equipment in which electronic circuits are formed. Furthermore, the preparation tank and leveling tank have first and second alkali concentration measuring means for measuring the alkali concentrations of the alkali type developer inside the respective tanks. In the preparation tank, either the amount of developer stock solution that is supplied to the tank or the amount of pure water that is supplied to the tank, or both, are adjusted on the basis of the measured value obtained by the first alkali concentration measuring means, so that an alkali type developer is prepared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Shu Ogawa, Satoru Morita, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Hozan
  • Patent number: 6302600
    Abstract: The apparatus for treating surface of boards includes treating means for treating surface of boards by supplying sequentially a treating solution and a rinse liquid on boards placed on a treating table; solution collecting means for collecting waste treating solution separately from waste rinse liquid; waste solution storing, concentrating detecting and solution supplementing means for storing the waste treating solution, detecting the concentration of at least one ingredient in the waste treating solution by an electric conductivity meter and/or an absorption photometer, supplementing treating solution for adjusting containing necessary ingredients depending on the detected value, and adjusting the treating solution; and treating solution feed means for feeding the adjusted treating solution into the treating means. By thus constructing, the treating solution can be recycled, and if recycling is repeated, the performance of the treating solution itself can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignees: Nagase & Co., Ltd., Hirama Rika Kenkyujo Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Nagase, Shu Ogawa, Kiyoshi Kamibayashi, Makoto Kikukawa, Takahiro Houzan, Toshimoto Nakagawa, Mitsumoto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5896874
    Abstract: In a semiconductor manufacturing process or a liquid crystal board manufacturing process, a resist stripping solution blending an organic alkali and an organic solvent is used for stripping the resist completely from the board. An apparatus for controlling this resist stripping solution comprises a resist stripping solution discharge device for discharging the resist stripping solution by detecting the dissolved resist concentration in the resist stripping solution by using an absorption photometer, a source solution and water replenishing device for replenishing the resist stripping source solution and pure water by detecting the liquid level of the resist stripping solution by a liquid level gauge, and a source solution and/or water replenishing device for replenishing at least one of the resist stripping source solution pure water by detecting the water concentration of the resist stripping solution by using an another absorption photometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignees: Hirama Rika Kenkyujo Ltd., Nagase & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Kouzo Tsukada, Shu Ogawa, Takahiro Houzan, Yoshitaka Nishijima
  • Patent number: 5671760
    Abstract: A resist stripping solution is used in the stripping of resist in a liquid crystal board manufacturing process or semiconductor manufacturing process. The apparatus for controlling the resist stripping solution comprises a resist stripping solution discharge device for discharging resist stripping solution by detecting the dissolved resist concentration in the resist stripping solution using an absorption photometer, first replenishing device for replenishing organic solvent and alkanolamine such as MEA or the like by detecting the liquid level of the resist stripping solution using a liquid level gauge, and second replenishing device for replenishing at least one of organic solvent and alkanolamine such as MEA or the like by detecting the concentration of alkanolamine such as MEA or the like of the resist stripping solution by an absorption photometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignees: Hirama RIKA Kenkyujo Ltd., Nagase & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Kouzo Tsukada, Shu Ogawa, Yoshitaka Sato, Shinichiro Shiotsu
  • Patent number: 5223881
    Abstract: An alkaline developing solution is used in development of photosensitive organic resin (photoresist) in liquid crystal board manufacturing process or printed board manufacturing process. The apparatus for controlling developing solution comprises developing solution discharge device for discharging developing solution by detecting the dissolved resin concentration in the developing solution by means of an absorption photometer (16), first replenishing device for replenishing undiluted developing solution and pure water by detecting the liquid level of the developing solution by means of a liquid level gauge (3), and second replenishing device for replenishing undiluted developing solution or pure water by detecting the alkali concentration of the developing solution by an electric conductivity meter (15). By thus constituting, the developing performance of the developing solution may be always kept constant, and the operation down time may be notably shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignees: Hirama Rika Kenkyujio Ltd., Nagase & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshimoto Nakagawa, Kouzo Tsukada, Shu Ogawa, Shinichiro Shiotsu