Combined With Drip Pans Or Surplus Collection Patents (Class 118/501)
  • Patent number: 11560775
    Abstract: A removable fluid capturing system adapted for installation onto a support structure/frame located under an oil rig catwalk, said fluid capturing system comprising: an elongated trough adapted for insertion under an aperture located on said catwalk; means to secure said trough to structure of the catwalk wherein, upon use, the system is capable of collected fluid seeping from removed pipes through said aperture and directing the fluid to a catchment basin located at a position proximate said second end of the trough. Also disclosed are methods using such system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventor: Brandon Bullock
  • Patent number: 10832902
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus including: a holding unit that holds a substrate; a processing liquid supply unit that supplies a processing liquid to the substrate; a cup that includes a bottom portion, a tubular peripheral wall portion erected on the bottom portion, a liquid receiving portion provided above the peripheral wall portion and configured to receive the processing liquid scattered from the substrate, and a groove portion formed in a circumferential direction on an upper surface of the peripheral wall portion, and surrounds the holding unit; and a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to the upper surface of the peripheral wall portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ikeda, Yuki Taniguchi, Kazuyoshi Shinohara
  • Patent number: 10707070
    Abstract: Methods and systems for coating a substrate with a fluid are described. In an embodiment, a method may include receiving a substrate in a substrate processing unit, the substrate having one or more physical features formed on a surface of the substrate. The method may include introducing a gas into an environment of the surface of the substrate. Additionally, the method may include applying a fluid to the surface of the substrate, wherein the gas facilitates distribution of the fluid relative to the one or more physical features formed on the surface of the substrate. The method may further include controlling one or more processing parameters related to distribution of the fluid in order to achieve device formation objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hoyoung Kang
  • Patent number: 10354894
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer held by a holder within a chamber is irradiated and heated with halogen light emitted from multiple halogen lamps. Cylindrical outer and inner louvers made of opaque quartz are provided between the halogen lamps and the semiconductor wafer. A reflector is provided in an area of tube walls of the halogen lamps that faces the spacing between the inner wall surface of the outer louver and the outer wall surface of the inner louver. The spacing between the two louvers is located immediately below and faces the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer. Thus, the illuminance of light that reaches the peripheral portion of the semiconductor wafer where a temperature drop is likely to occur will be higher than the illuminance of light that travels toward the central portion from the halogen lamps. This configuration will help make uniform the in-plane temperature distribution of the semiconductor wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Abe, Hikaru Kawarazaki, Takahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 9768039
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Aiura, Norihiro Ito, Hidetoshi Nakao, Kazuyoshi Shinohara, Satoru Tanaka, Yuki Yoshida, Meitoku Aibara
  • Patent number: 8936832
    Abstract: A method for wet treatment of plate-like articles includes, a chuck for holding a single plate-like article having an upwardly facing surface for receiving liquid running off a plate-like article when being treated with liquid, wherein the chuck is outwardly bordered by a circumferential annular lip. The chuck has an outer diameter greater than the greatest diameter of the plate-like article to be treated, and a rotatable part with an upwardly facing ring-shaped surface for receiving liquid running off the circumferential lip of the chuck. The rotatable part is rotatable with respect to the chuck, the ring-shaped surface is coaxially arranged with respect to the circumferential annular lip, the inner diameter of the ring-shaped surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the chuck, and the distance d between the lip and the upwardly facing ring-shaped surface is in a range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventors: Michael Brugger, Alexander Schwarzfurtner
  • Patent number: 8586138
    Abstract: A method of coating a first porous substrate with a thermoplastic material comprises the steps of: rotating the substrate about an axis of the substrate; and applying the material in a liquefied state onto the substrate, wherein the step of applying is performed from the outside of the substrate. According to another embodiment, a method of coating a porous substrate with a thermoplastic material comprises the steps of: connecting a first porous substrate to a rotator; rotating the substrate about an axis of the substrate; pumping the material in a liquefied state from a receptacle to an application head; and applying the material in a liquefied state onto the substrate, wherein the step of applying is performed from the outside of the substrate. In certain embodiments, the material coated on the substrate is used to help remove at least a portion of a filtercake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke W. Holderman, Jacob R. Shoemate
  • Patent number: 8408222
    Abstract: New baffles and methods of using these baffles are provided. The baffles comprise a body having an edge wall configured to direct the flow of a composition against a substrate (e.g., silicon wafer) edge. The edge wall comprises a vertical surface, a curved sidewall coupled to the vertical surface, and a lip coupled to the curved sidewall. A preferred baffle is annular in shape and formed from a synthetic resinous composition. Even more preferably, the baffle is not formed of a metal. The inventive methods comprise positioning the baffle adjacent a substrate during a spin coating process so that the edge wall causes the composition to cover the edges of the substrate and preferably a portion of the back side of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Gary J. Brand, Philip H. Allen, Ramachandran K. Trichur
  • Patent number: 8397666
    Abstract: Mandrel coating assemblies are provided, as well as methods for coating endoluminal medical devices with a therapeutic agent using the mandrel coating assembly. The endoluminal medical device may be a stent, valve or other medical device, and may include a plurality of interconnected members defining a lumen and plurality of openings positioned along the abluminal surface in communication with the lumen. The mandrel coating assembly may be configured to minimize the coating penetration on the luminal surface of the medical device and/or incidence of webbing or agglomerations of the coating within the openings between the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Dennis J. Delap
  • Patent number: 8367163
    Abstract: An enamel flow coating process and apparatus is arranged as a four arm Ferris wheel like apparatus which is mounted over a bathtub like tank which holds enamel slip. Coils of steel tubing formed into heat exchangers are mounted to the arms of the wheel to rotate and to pivot. The wheel is rotated between four stations. In the first station, a coil is loaded onto the wheel. In a second station the coil is pivoted into the tank of enamel slip, where it is coated, and withdrawn by operation of a pivoting bracket. The coated coils are rotated through third and fourth stations where the coating solidifies, and the coated heat exchanger is removed, and replaced with an uncoated one in the first station. After leaving the wheel, the heat exchanger is fired and installed in a water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bock Water Heaters, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael B. Steinhafel, Mutubwa K. Kahite, Peter J. Davis, Mark L. Kallas, Randall E. Malson, Edward A. Goehring
  • Patent number: 8347811
    Abstract: A system is provided that is capable of supporting an object during application of surface coating that would enable access to multiple surfaces of the object while minimizing the impact on any surface that has not dried. The system provides stable support for the object during the application process and allows the coatings of all surfaces to dry with minimal effect on the coated surface. The system comprises a plurality of support units. Each support unit comprises a base portion and a contact portion. Each base portion is adapted to rest stably upon a work platform and contact portion is adapted to contact an underside of the object during application of surface coating. The plurality of support units together supports the object above the work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Bucci
  • Patent number: 8263169
    Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fuh-Wei Tang, Syed F. A. Hossainy, Dorie Happ, Ty T. Hu
  • Patent number: 8231939
    Abstract: A method and device for wet treatment of plate-like articles includes, a chuck for holding a single plate-like article having an upwardly facing surface for receiving liquid running off a plate-like article when being treated with liquid, wherein the chuck is outwardly bordered by a circumferential annular lip. The chuck has an outer diameter greater than the greatest diameter of the plate-like article to be treated, and a rotatable part with an upwardly facing ring-shaped surface for receiving liquid running off the circumferential lip of the chuck. The rotatable part is rotatable with respect to the chuck, the ring-shaped surface is coaxially arranged with respect to the circumferential annular lip, the inner diameter of the ring-shaped surface is smaller than the outer diameter of the chuck, and the distance d between the lip and the upwardly facing ring-shaped surface is in a range from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventors: Michael Brugger, Alexander Schwarzfurtner
  • Patent number: 8037841
    Abstract: A liquid droplet ejection apparatus includes an ejection inspecting section for recognizing an inspection pattern printed on a printing unit as an image, and inspecting ejection performance of the functional liquid droplet ejection heads, a workpiece alignment section for aligning a workpiece relative to a set table, a table moving section for moving the set table between the printing area and an alignment position, a unit moving section for moving the printing unit between a retracted position and an inspection position, and a controller for controlling the functional liquid droplet ejection heads, the ejection inspecting section, the table moving section, the unit moving section, and the workpiece alignment section. The controller allows alignment processing of moving the set table to the alignment position and aligning the workpiece and inspection processing of moving the printing unit to the inspection position and performing inspection of the ejection performance to be performed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Kojima
  • Patent number: 8033240
    Abstract: An apparatus for ejecting liquid droplets for drawing a pattern on a workpiece having drawing areas in a longitudinal direction includes: a suction table disposed in a drawing space for holding the workpiece by suction; a delivering unit that intermittently delivers the workpiece onto the suction table in a sagged state; a drawing unit that draws a pattern on the workpiece held by suction by driving the functional liquid droplet ejection head to eject liquid droplets; a workpiece receiving unit that receives the drawn-on workpiece in a sagged state from the suction table; and a flushing unit on a feeding path of the work and including a flushing box provided between a lower surface of the functional liquid droplet ejection head and a sagged portion at least at one of the sagged portions of the workpiece for receiving ejected liquid droplets from the functional liquid droplet ejection head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 8011318
    Abstract: An article support system for supporting articles and collecting paint or stain that drips off of the articles includes a plurality of stanchions being positioned and upwardly extending from a support surface. Each of the stanchions includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. Each of a plurality of span assemblies is mounted to a pair of the stanchions and extends between the stanchions. The span assemblies support the articles above the support surface when the articles are placed on and extend between the span assemblies positioned adjacent each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Christopher L. Gilmour
  • Patent number: 7964069
    Abstract: A device for galvanic coating of a piston has a pot-shaped interior for accommodating the piston and an electrolyte fluid, a holder device for fixing the piston in place, a cover that is structured like a shutter and leaves only the surfaces of the piston that are to be coated uncovered, a first electrical contact that is connected with an anode and with the plus pole of a direct voltage source, and a second electrical contact that connects the piston with the minus pole of a direct voltage source. The piston can be simply and quickly attached to the holder device, since the holder device is in plate shape, and has an oblong centering device, the length of which corresponds to the radial inside diameter of the piston to be coated so that the piston can be pushed onto the centering device by way of its underside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Bergmann, Kurt Nikolei
  • Patent number: 7776382
    Abstract: A method for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7723152
    Abstract: In the condition where a nozzle for applying a coating liquid is disposed on the lower side of a substrate and a substrate surface controlled in wettability is faced down, the nozzle and the substrate are moved relative to each other, whereby the coating liquid is applied to a desired region of the substrate, and then the coating liquid is dried, to obtain a pattern included a dried coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nomoto
  • Patent number: 7601219
    Abstract: An apparatus for ejecting liquid droplet includes a suction table for setting a rolled work having a plurality of drawing area arranged in the longitudinal direction by suction, a delivering apparatus for introducing the work into the suction table in a sagged state, a drawing apparatus having functional liquid droplet ejection heads for drawing patterns on respective drawing areas on the work set by suction while relatively moving the functional liquid droplet ejection heads, a winding apparatus for winding the work with the pattern drawn thereon in the sagged state, and a flushing unit having a flushing box for receiving ejection from the functional liquid droplet ejection head so as to be located in at least one of the sagged portions of the work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoichi Miyasaka
  • Patent number: 7585368
    Abstract: A simply-constructed paint-spraying platform comprises: a platform body comprising a top wall, a ventilation part, a bottom wall, two support plates, and a backing plate. When in use, the paint-spraying platform is expanded, and the article to be painted is hung on the first and second hooking holes or placed on the backing palate for spraying paint by using a spray gun. Therefore, the advantages including easy carriage, good ventilation, low cost, and enhanced steadiness can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hua Yan Top Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Kuang Lin, Jing-Yuan Chang
  • Publication number: 20090188429
    Abstract: The ring comprises a hoop (1, 20) for draining and encircling the edge of the optical element, forming an arc over more than 180° and provided at each of its two ends with an outwardly-directed drip tab (10, 30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Pierre Caron, Annette Cretier, Annick Gascons
  • Patent number: 7563327
    Abstract: An apparatus for dip coating lenses comprises a tank for containing a coating liquid, a coating chamber for receiving one or more ophthalmic lenses. The tank is in fluid communication with the coating chamber for permitting the flow of coating liquid between the tank and the coating chamber. The apparatus has a first position where the coating chamber is located above the tank and second position where the tank is located above the coating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Claudine Biver, Gerald Fournand
  • Patent number: 7513213
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for coating food items such as coating empty ice cream cones subsequently containing ice cream. A liquid recovery apparatus is used in the method, apparatus, and system and is fashioned in a tray-like manner to form a slideway that includes a bottom section with openings that have collars along with opposing sidewalls and endwalls that together enable containment of coating liquid such as a chocolate coating. The chocolate coating is recovered and thereby reused as a subsequent topping for the filled ice cream cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Mangé, Jared Vandemark
  • Patent number: 7485333
    Abstract: A method of coating a stent using a mounting device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pacetti, Plaridel K. Villareal
  • Publication number: 20080254626
    Abstract: A processing apparatus for transferring a relief pattern on a mold to a resist on a substrate through a compression of the mold against the resist, includes a supplier for supplying the resist between the substrate and the mold, and a recovery unit for recovering the resist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuyuki KASUMI, Hirohisa OTA, Eigo KAWAKAMI, Takashi NAKAMURA, Toshinobu TOKITA
  • Patent number: 7381272
    Abstract: A processing apparatus for transferring a relief pattern on a mold to a resist on a substrate through a compression of the mold against the resist, includes a supplier for supplying the resist between the substrate and the mold, and a recovery unit for recovering the resist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Kasumi, Hirohisa Ota, Eigo Kawakami, Takashi Nakamura, Toshinobu Tokita
  • Patent number: 7368016
    Abstract: A substrate processing unit includes: a vertically-movable substrate holder for holding a substrate; a pan surrounding a periphery of the substrate holder; a cell, located below the substrate holder and within the pan, having in its interior a chemical processing section; and a cell cover, capable of closing a top opening of the cell, having a plurality of spray nozzles for separately spraying at least two types of processing liquids, wherein the pan and the cell each have an individual liquid discharge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Katsuoka, Masahiko Sekimoto, Teruyuki Watanabe, Ryo Kato, Toshio Yokoyama, Kenichi Suzuki, Kenichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7351289
    Abstract: A device for applying a liquid to pasty medium to a moving surface, the moving surface in the case of direct application being the surface of a paper, board or other fibrous web. In the case of indirect application the moving surface being the surface of a transfer element which transfers the application medium to the surface of the fibrous web. The device includes an applicator for applying the medium and a doctor device arranged downstream in the running direction of the moving surface for doctoring off and/or equalizing the medium applied to the moving surface. In order to collect excess medium that has not remained on the moving surface and/or has not reached the latter, a flexible collecting part covering the interspace between applicator and doctor device is provided, which extends transversely with respect to the running direction of the moving surface and parallel to the applicator and the doctor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Voith Paper Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Grabscheid, Martin Kustermann, Stefan Reich, Eckard Wozny, Manfred Ueberschaer
  • Patent number: 7279045
    Abstract: An apparatus for wetting an advancing filament bundle. A fluid is applied by means of a nozzle in the form of a fluid spray jet to the filament bundle advancing in spaced relationship with the nozzle. A portion of the spray jet is shielded before impacting upon the filament bundle, so that the application of fluid to the filament bundle is determined by the degree of shielding of the spray jet. With that, the invention is adapted for finely adjusting the fluid application to the filament bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Saurer GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Strebe
  • Patent number: 7192484
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7153365
    Abstract: A tray, used for transferring a substrate and conducting a coating process, includes a recessed portion to accommodate a substrate, the depth of the recessed portion being substantially the same as the thickness of the substrate, and a one-step-lower gutter which is provided on an outer periphery of said recessed portion or inside the outer periphery of said recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 7103271
    Abstract: A light irradiation heat treatment apparatus and method may use a plane-shaped light irradiation heating component, facing one surface of a workpiece supported in a furnace, to raise the temperature of the workpiece. The temperature of the workpiece is raised by setting an intensity distribution for light irradiated from the light irradiation heating component in accordance with the resistivity of the workpiece. Thereafter, the workpiece is irradiated with light having the set light intensity distribution to raise its temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Emi Kanazaki, Satoshi Shibata, Fumitoshi Kawase
  • Patent number: 7048800
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a semiconductor substrate, or wafer, processing apparatus is provided. The wafer processing apparatus may include a frame, a semiconductor substrate support, a dispense head connected to the frame to dispense a semiconductor processing fluid onto a substrate on the support, and a catch cup, having a top section and a mid-section, connected to the frame around the wafer support. A portion of an inner surface of the top section may not face towards, or face away from, a central axis of the semiconductor substrate. An upper surface of the mid-section may have substantially no horizontal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.
    Inventor: Andrew P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6962625
    Abstract: A device for application of a liquid gluing system comprising at least two components, such as a resin component and a hardener component, the device comprising at least two hollow members (11, 11?), each member being provided with a row of orifices designed to apply the respective components onto a substrate (6) below the hollow members (11, 11?), and at least two trays (2, 2?) one tray below each of the hollow members to receive surplus of the respective component not being applied onto the substrate, wherein the hollow members (11, 11?) are adapted to be placed in the respective tray (2, 2?) having the orifices below the level of the liquid in the tray. A method for avoiding plugging of the orifices in the hollow member during a stop in application is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Dynea Chemicals Oy
    Inventor: Ronny Bredesen
  • Patent number: 6891131
    Abstract: A thermal processing system performs predetermined thermal processing on an approximately circular to-be-processed object, by applying radiant heat to the to-be-processed object by means of a heating lamp system. The heating lamp system comprises a plurality of lamps disposed concentrically so as to correspond to the to-be-processed object. The plurality of lamps are controlled individually for respective zones of the to-be-processed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakuma, Takashi Shigeoka, Yicheng Li
  • Patent number: 6884292
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for batch, continuous, or semi-continuous coating of optical lenses. The method and apparatus use a plurality of carriages which are reciprocally moved in the apparatus to transfer jigs from a jig filled carriage to a lens loading arm and to load the jigs with lenses and then to transfer the jigs now containing uncoated lenses to a leading empty carriage. Using such a reciprocating motion, a leading empty carriage is now filled with jigs containing uncoated lenses and the uncoated lenses in the carriage may then be coated by dipping the carriage in a coating tank. After coating, the coated lenses are removed from the system. A similar reciprocating motion is used in the coated lens unloading section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Optima, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, Yinghui Wu
  • Patent number: 6881436
    Abstract: Material balance is maintained in a recycling system for aqueous paint by controlling a liquid amount within the recycling system while spray-coating an article. A recycling method includes: coating an article with aqueous paint in a water-curtain-type coating booth; collecting an over-spray paint, that does not adhere to the article, by virtue of a water curtain; sending a collected solution of paint and water to a condensation bath through a booth circulation water bath; separating this solution by an ultra-filtration apparatus into condensed paint and filtrate, with the condensed paint being transferred to a paint tank; and removing condensed paint from the paint tank, if necessary for adjustment of aqueous paint, followed by coating this aqueous paint onto an article, wherein a total amount of liquid present within the recycling system is controlled to be constant during spray-coating of an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Yamane, Junichi Sueyoshi, Takahito Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 6860946
    Abstract: Methods of coating an implantable device and a system for performing such methods are disclosed. An embodiment of the method includes applying a coating substance to the surface of an implantable device, and rotating the implantable device in a centrifuge. The method can uniformly coat the implantable device with the coating substance and to remove unwanted accumulations of coating substance entrained between struts or crevices in the implantable device body. This system is applicable to methods for coating intraluminal stents, synthetic grafts, and stent coverings with therapeutic compositions comprising therapeutic agents mixed with a polymeric matrix and a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Syed F. A. Hossainy, Jeffrey Steward
  • Patent number: 6837929
    Abstract: Method and device for providing a layer (6) of a coating material on the inner side (2) of a display window (1) for a color display tube. A drop (3) of a suspension of said coating material is deposited on the inner side of the display window, its axis of symmetry (4) being oriented vertically. Then the display window is rotated around said axis of symmetry, and at the same time, said axis is tilted to a horizontal position. The suspension is thereby distributed on the inner side of the display window. An excess of suspension is collected during the rotation in four collection cups (8) arranged at the comers (7) of the display window, whence it is drained off to a central collection cup (10). Finally, the part of the suspension which remains on the display window is dried by infrared radiation (9). As the suspension is drained from the four collection cups to the central collection cup during the rotation, there is no risk that the suspension may drip from the cups onto the display window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Frans Corneel Cardinaels
  • Patent number: 6838643
    Abstract: An apparatus for baking a semiconductor wafer having a resist pattern thereon includes a baking oven in which the semiconductor wafer is placed and heated, and a first hot plate which is provided in the baking oven to heat an entire bottom surface of the semiconductor wafer. The apparatus also includes a gas supply unit having a gas introducing path, through which the purge gas is introduced into the baking oven, and a gas exhaust path, through which the purge gas is exhausted out of the baking oven. A gas temperature controller controls a temperature of the purge gas in order that the purge gas flowing around a peripheral edge or outer portion of the wafer has a higher temperature than that around the center or inner portion of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shouzou Kobayashi, Takamitsu Furukawa, Keisuke Tanaka, Kouhei Shimoyama, Akira Watanabe, Tadashi Nishimuro, Koki Muto, Azusa Yanagisawa, Katsuo Oshima
  • Patent number: 6780366
    Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Mentor Corporation
    Inventors: Koua Vang, Phillip E. Duckert, Terence M. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 6776887
    Abstract: A carrier (20) is used in the thin film coating of disks (35). The disks (35) are held in a disk tray (30). The disks (35) have a center (35a) through which the thin film coating can go through. The carrier (20) includes a base plate (21) for receiving the disk tray (30). A plurality of discrete shields (24) are positioned in alignment with the center openings of the disk (35). The shields (24) are releasably connected to the base plate (21). Preferably, the shields (24) are releasably connected by a magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Roberts, Richard F. Willson
  • Patent number: 6767403
    Abstract: A spin bowl includes a base and a sidewall that extends from the base. The base has an upper portion for supporting a substrate in a horizontal plane and a lower portion that intersects with the sidewall. The lower portion of the base has a plurality of drain holes formed therein proximate to the sidewall. Each of the plurality of drain holes is configured to trap fluid therein during spinning of the spin bowl to thereby form a fluid seal that prevents air from flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, each of the drain holes is V-shaped. In another embodiment, the fluid seal is formed by the intersection of a straight drain hole with an external fluid catch area. An apparatus and method for spin coating a film over a substrate also are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred J. Chetcuti, Henner Meinhold
  • Patent number: 6740164
    Abstract: Plating apparatus and plating method that can plate more uniformly on a processing surface of a workpiece are provided. The plating apparatus is comprised of a plating solution bathe which is provided with a first electrode held in a state soaked in a plating solution; a workpiece holding mechanism which holds a workpiece to contact its processing surface to the plating solution; and a contact member, disposed in the workpiece holding mechanism, that electrically contacts with the circumferential edge of the workpiece so to form a conductive layer on the workpiece surface as a second electrode. The contact member is divided along the circumferential direction of the workpiece with which they are electrically contacted. Thus, even if the contact resistance between each section of the contact member with the workpiece is variable, it is possible to adjust the plating electric current for each section of the contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Wataru Okase, Takenobu Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20040071885
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for making coated articles with one or more layers by dip, spray or flow coating. In one aspect, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for making coated containers, preferably comprising polyethylene terephthalate, from coated preforms. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method permit the coated container or preform to be made in an energy-efficient manner that reduces the danger of coating damage and thus increases the efficacy of the final container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald A. Hutchinson, Robert A. Lee
  • Patent number: 6718127
    Abstract: A heating device of the light irradiation type in which uniform illuminance can be obtained without placing a single end lamp in the middle of the light source part is achieved providing a light source part in which circular lamps are arranged concentrically to one another with a mirror in the center of the circular lamps. The mirror is convex toward the workpiece and reflects the light emitted from the innermost circular lamp located closest to the center area so that, without placing a single end lamp in the middle area, the reduction of illuminance in the middle area of the irradiated surface is reduced. Furthermore, the reflector can be made conical, and in this way, the light from the lamps can be emitted with high efficiency onto the workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Ushiodenki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6709708
    Abstract: A coating process involving a hollow cylinder, a hollow shaft coaxial with the cylinder connecting a first and a second spacing device, mounting thereon on a vertical rod which is concentric to and mounted within a cylindrical coating vessel having a top and bottom, introducing coating liquid into the vessel adjacent to the bottom and withdrawing the liquid thereby depositing a layer of the coating liquid on the outside of the hollow cylinder and wherein a liquid seal is formed between the top and bottom of the cylinder and the hollow shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Kenny-tuan T. Dinh, Richard H. Nealey, John G. Matta
  • Patent number: 6703589
    Abstract: A method and for heat-treating at least one material being processed (3) under a specific process-gas atmosphere (111) of at least one process gas (4) with the aid of a heat-treatment unit (6). The heat-treatment unit has at least one energy source (5) for making the material being processed (3) take up an amount of energy, a heat-treatment container (11) with a heat-treatment space (16) for keeping the material being processed (3) under the process-gas atmosphere (111) during the heat treatment, a heat-treatment chamber (13), in which the heat-treatment container (11) is arranged at a distance (18) from the heat-treatment chamber (13), so that there is an intermediate space (14) between the heat-treatment container (11) and the heat-treatment chamber (13), and an element (19, 191) for producing in the intermediate space (14) a further gas atmosphere (141) of a further gas, different from the process-gas atmosphere (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Shell Solar GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Probst
  • Patent number: 6699323
    Abstract: A spray gluing unit in a machine for wrapping products advancing along a pass line comprises a gluer equipped with a nozzle having an outlet from which adhesive is directed onto a wrapping material enveloping the products, and a cleaning station equipped with a first movable member carrying a scraper blade and a wetting pad to which silicone oil is supplied; the scraper blade and the wetting pad are designed to interact with a flat surface of the gluer and with an end face of the outlet, occupying substantially the same plane, so as to remove any residual adhesive from the gluer and keep the outlet moistened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alver Tacchi, Silvano Boriani, Fausto Negrini, Alessandro Minarelli