Abstract: A workpiece conveyance jig, which is formed of a threaded shaft made of a ceramic, includes an inner member, which is formed of a solid shaft having a constant diameter, and is configured to receive a rotational driving force, and an outer member, which has a hollow shaft-like shape, has a helical protrusion, and is mounted on an outer periphery of the inner member so as to be rotatable integrally with the inner member. The outer member includes a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged in a row in an axial direction of the workpiece conveyance jig, and has a convex and concave fitting portion formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of cylindrical bodies, which is configured to engage the two adjacent cylindrical bodies with each other in a direction of rotation of the inner member.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding hydraulic hoses for use in cleaning sewer lines. The claimed hose guide locks the hydraulic hose, near the head of the hose, in a clamp, providing rigidity for an operator trying to locate the opening of a clogged pipeline. Once the hose has been placed at the pipeline opening, the operator releases the hose from the hose guide, pressurizes the hose so as to separate the hose from the hose guide, removes the hose guide from the sewer line, and cleans the pipeline with the hydraulic hose.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a slide system for sliding movement of a dish rack in and out of a wash chamber, and a pivot system to enable cooperative pivoting of the dish rack and an access door when the dish rack at least partially overlies the door and the door is pivoted from an opened to a closed position.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a slide system for sliding movement of a dish rack in and out of a wash chamber, and a pivot system to enable cooperative pivoting of the dish rack and an access door when the dish rack at least partially overlies the door and the door is pivoted from an opened to a closed position.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a rack for holding utensils for treatment within the treating chamber, a first wheel coupled with the tub, a second wheel coupled with the rack, and a track. The track can have first and second channels in a back-to-back relationship for respectively receiving the first and second wheels to slidably mount the rack to the tub.

Abstract: A dishwasher is disclosed which includes a rack arranged inside of a washing cabinet, a plurality of shelves arranged on the rack, and a shelf holder installed on the rack. The shelf holder may include a plurality of shelf fixing parts that fix the shelves together. The dishwasher so configured is capable of minimizing the number of shelf holders needed to fix a plurality of shelves to a rack and, therefore, simplifies the assembly process.

Abstract: A cleaning system for an electric shaver having a shaving head generally includes a housing having an interior space configured to retain cleaning fluid within the housing. The housing is further configured for supporting the shaver in a generally upright orientation with the shaving head disposed at least in part within the interior space of the housing. A displacement apparatus is disposed within the interior space of the housing and is selectively positionable within the housing between a first position in which the cleaning fluid within the housing defines a lower fluid level relative to the shaving head to be cleaned, and a second position in which the cleaning fluid defines a higher fluid level relative to the shaving head such that at the higher fluid level at least a portion of the shaving head of the shaver is submerged in the cleaning fluid within the housing.

Abstract: A spin scrubber apparatus has an index unit configured to support one or more cassettes, a processing unit having one or more cleaning stations facing the index unit across a transfer space, and a substrate transfer device disposed in the transfer space for transferring substrates one-by-one between the index unit and the processing unit. The transfer device includes a transfer block, and an index arm and a transfer arm unit supported by the transfer block. The transfer block is movable in the transfer space to position the index arm or the transfer arm unit in front of a cassette or a spin scrubber. The index arm loads/unloads substrates into/from a cassette mounted to the index unit. The transfer arm loads/unloads substrates into/from the processing unit. All of the movement takes place in the transfer space. Thus, the apparatus is compact, and it takes relatively little time to clean the substrates.

Abstract: An washing machine for washing trays. The machine includes a housing, a frame, a water system, and an air system. The frame is rigidly mounted in the housing and holds the trays to be washed at a tilted angle so that fluids completely drain there from and accordingly facilitate the washing and drying processes. The water system is contained in the housing and supplies water to wash the trays. The air system is contained in the housing and supplies air to dry the trays.

Abstract: A device for stacking cutlery pieces is provided by means of which cutlery pieces may be easily accessible and can be housed in a space-saving and tidy manner in the rinsing chamber of a dishwashing machine. The device provides reliable isolation and easy loading and unloading of cutlery pieces. A pivoting stacking device is arranged on an external side of the washing-up basket and includes a holder, in which at least one separate cutlery receptacle may be introduced, whereby the cutlery receptacle is characterised by particular aids for individual stacking of the cutlery pieces.

Abstract: A surface treatment device (10) is provided for applying a surface treatment medium to an article (60). The device comprises an application member (12, 14) for holding and applying the surface treatment medium to the article. The device has a securing arrangement (40) for securing the application member to the article.

Abstract: A wafer chuck is configured to hold a wafer efficiently for spin process cleaning of wafer edges and back sides. A first group of retractable tips extend to hold the wafer during a first portion of the cleaning period. A second group of retractable tips extend to hold the wafer during a second portion of the cleaning period. Residues left between the tips and the wafer edge areas during the first portion of the cleaning period are removed during the second portion. The change from the first group of tips to the second group of tips occurs while the wafer is rotating.

Abstract: A wafer chuck is configured to hold a wafer efficiently for spin process cleaning of wafer edges and back sides. A first group of retractable tips extend to hold the wafer during a first portion of the cleaning period. A second group of retractable tips extend to hold the wafer during a second portion of the cleaning period. Residues left between the tips and the wafer edge areas during the first portion of the cleaning period are removed during the second portion. The change from the first group of tips to the second group of tips occurs while the wafer is rotating.

Abstract: A motor drive with devices for translating the rotary movement of an output shaft (44) into a reciprocating linear movement, preferably for driving a reciprocating transporting device (4; 5, 6). The latter comprises catches (9; 9.1, 9.2), which engage in one direction and not in the other direction, in order to transport a receptacle (16) for items for washing. The transporting device comprises an articulated transporting frame (4), of which the transporting rails (5, 6) can be moved in opposite directions to one another.

Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus is provided that includes a cleaning cup for receiving a to-be-cleaned substrate, a table in the cleaning cup, a first, second, and third nozzles, a pure water heating mechanism configured to supply hot pure water, a branch line, a control mechanism, and an open/close valve, provided between the branch line and the pipe, wherein the open/close valve is configured to interrupt emission of hot water from the third nozzle by opening the open/close valve to lower the pressure in the pipe.

Abstract: A household dishwashing machine of the type having a wash chamber in the form of a drawer, with the drawing being moveable between a lowered to a raised position for facile loading and unloading of the dishes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for holding a semiconductor wafer utilizes confining members having a wafer engaging end to both support and confine the semiconductor wafer using centrifugal force when the wafer and the confining members are being rotated about a rotational axis. The confining members may be configured to be pivoted when subjected to centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the confining members such that pressure is applied on the wafer edge by the wafer engaging end of each confining member in a radial direction toward the rotational axis when the confining members are pivoted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small, quiet sonic cleaner which can be used to clean jewelry and other small objects. The cleaner includes a tank which is rigidly connected to a vibration generator such as an eccentrically loaded motor, and which is flexibly coupled to a base upon which the cleaner sits. The coupling of the tank to the base is preferably through progressive motion attenuators such as springs, which provide superior vibration isolation for the tank.

Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly cleaning apparatus and method allow a cleaning solution to completely fill spaces within an integrated circuit assembly. Such spaces include, for example, the thin space between the die and substrate of a flip-chip integrated circuit. The cleaning solution fills the space while the air initially occupying the space escapes. These actions are accomplished by first tilting the integrated circuit assembly from horizontal. The integrated circuit assembly is then immersed in the bath at a controllable rate to allow the cleaning solution to completely fill the space while the air in the space escapes.

Abstract: A plate-tilting apparatus adapted to be used in a semiconductor-manufacturing process is disclosed. The plate-tilting apparatus is used for preventing thin wafers from being collected in a cassette contacted with each other after the thin wafers are taken out of a solution. It includes a plate having the container locked thereon and having a first edge pivotally connected to a basal plane of a tank used in the semiconductor-manufacturing process, and a plate-lifting device connected to a second edge of the plate opposite to the first edge for lifting the second edge of the plate, so that the plate can be tilted at a specific angle.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of substrates has a container having walls and being filled with a treatment fluid. At least one substrate carrier is mounted in the container so as to move the substrates vertically in a reciprocating manner without a substrate support. Substrate side walls are provided between the substrates and the container walls. These substrate side walls extend parallel to the substrates and are vertically movable in a reciprocating manner with the substrates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a substrate after the substrate is rinsed in a rinsing bath in which a rinsing liquid is contained. The substrate is vertically held selectively by first and second holders. The second holder is located between and below the first holders. Each of the first and second holders includes grooves with which the substrate is engageable. When the level of the rinsing liquid downwardly passes past the grooves of the first holders, the substrate is held solely by the second holder. Then, when the level of the rinsing liquid downwardly passes past the grooves of the second holder, the substrate is held solely by the first holder.

Abstract: Two vats are arranged vertically within an occupied area for a single vat, and any of the upper and lower vats can implement washing works at the same time. The upper and lower vats are used simultaneously according to the object of washing, enabling the apparatus to implement quick washing works of articles to be washed within the compact space. An upper vat (15) capable of containing the articles (12) is formed above the lower vat (10) capable of containing the articles (12). A loading and unloading space (14) for articles (12) is formed between the upper and lower vats (15), (10). This apparatus is formed with a lower vertical mover (19) for loading and unloading the articles (12) in and out of the lower vat (10) and an upper vertical mover (18) for loading and unloading the articles (12) in and out of the upper vat (15). The articles (12) are contained in the upper and lower vats (15), (10) at the same time, thereby enabling the apparatus to implement washing related works at the same time.

Abstract: A method of cleaning probe cards provided with probe tips, in which method the tips are cleaned of a contaminating material by exposing the tips to a cleaning solution by dipping in the solution such that only their ends touch the cleaning solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing and sterilizing objects is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, and a tray supported within the housing for storing the objects to be sterilized. A sterilizing solution is located within the housing and below the tray. An elevator assembly lowers the tray downwardly to immerse the objects in the sterilizing solution, and lifts the tray upwardly to remove the objects from the sterilizing solution for further storage until use.

Abstract: An apparatus for soaking and cleaning articles in a cleaning solution includes a primary cleaning chamber for containing a predetermined volume of the cleaning solution therein and a filter assembly including a filtration sheet pulled from a supply across a drainage trough for removing contaminants from the cleaning solution. A sensor activates movement and replacement of saturated sections of the filtration sheet upon detecting a rise of fluid level in the drainage trough. A fan forced electronic heater supplies heat to an oxidation chamber for thermal oxidation of refuse placed therein, the resulting flue gasses being directed through a heat transfer duct, wherein heat is transferred to the solution contained in the cleaning chamber; the flue gasses exiting through a flue stack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to central reactor apparatus for applying cleaning treatments to plates such as regularly-shaped flat parts e.g. semiconductor media as used for making integrated circuits, or optical disks, etc. . . . The apparatus comprises a chamber including side walls, an end wall, an opening through a front plate facing said end wall, support means enabling a plurality of parts to be supported, means for injecting treatment fluids, closure means for closing said chamber, and discharge means for discharging said fluids, thereby enabling said parts to be treated by means of said fluids and subsequently enabling the chamber to be emptied. Said means for supporting the parts is secured to the closure means and is constituted by two side combs which are articulated on links enabling the combs to be tilted apart from each other to enable said parts to pass between them, and then to be tilted towards each other so that they engage beneath the parts and support them inside said chamber.

Abstract: A cleaning device has a pair of diametrically opposite nozzles spaced across a rotatable chuck from each other for alternately applying a cleaning solution to the reverse side of a workpiece. The rotatable chuck with the workpiece held thereon is rotated by a reversible motor alternatively in opposite directions such that the cleaning solution is ejected from one of the nozzles while the rotatable chuck is being rotated in one of the opposite directions by the reversible motor, and the cleaning solution is ejected from the other of the nozzles while the rotatable chuck is being rotated in the other of the opposite directions by the reversible motor. The nozzles have respective axes along which the cleaning solution is ejected, the axes extending symmetrically with respect to a line passing through the center of the rotatable chuck perpendicularly to a line connecting the pair of nozzles.

Abstract: A probe washing vessel for sucking in and dispensing blood plasma, blood cells, blood serum, or body fluid and the like comprises a washing reservoir, a washing chamber in a form of a hole which formed in the washing reservoir and in which a probe is inserted, and a bypass flow path formed in the washing reservoir and having one end communicating with the washing chamber and the other end opened to the atmosphere.

Abstract: The device disclosed is for treating an article, i.e., polishing an article, of the type with a rotating vessel where the article to be treated is fastened in relation to the vessel. To enable the article to be treated to be placed in position without the need to remove the particles from the vessel, the article is moved between a loading and unloading position, where the article is outside the mass of particles, and a working position, where it is subjected to the action of the particles to polish and strip pieces of furniture.

Abstract: A contact lens cleaning device provides a mechanical apparatus for the thorough agitation and cleaning of contact lenses immersed in a disinfecting solution. The device comprises a base portion bearing a reservoir for containing a measured amount of disinfecting solution, and a main housing portion including a lens holder portion for releasable capture of the contact lenses to be cleaned. The lens holder is connected to rotating crankshafts by connecting rods, and the crankshafts are connected to a knob on the outside of the main housing, so that rotary motion of the crankshafts is translated to reciprocating motion of the lens holder.

Abstract: Known methods of remaining flux from printed circuit boards include spraying jets of solvent onto the board and/or immersing the board in solvent. However, these techniques are not effective when applied to ceramic boards comprising ceramic chip carries as the spacing between the board and the carries is much smaller than with printed circuit boards. Described herein is apparatus for effecting the removal of flux by immersing the boards in solvent and agitating them in the solvent so that the solvent can penetrate the spaces between the components or carriers and the board.

Abstract: A packaged lumber-dipping apparatus comprises a dipping tank of lumber-preserving fluid, a submersible roll case section supported by a hoist mast for lowering a package of lumber into the tank, and infeed and outfeed conveyors. A clamp is mounted on the hoist mast for clamping the package down on the roll case section so that the lumber will not float when submerged in the tank. The infeed conveyor is positioned at an end of the roll case section for feeding a package of lumber lengthwise onto the roll case section. The outfeed conveyor, positioned alongside the tank, receives the package of lumber from the roll case section after dipping. Two tiltable skate roll sections in the roll case section, connected by chains to the clamp, tilt toward the outfeed conveyor when the clamp is raised to unload the package onto the outfeed conveyor after dipping.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus in which an item to be cleaned is lowered into a tank of cleaning solution by a basket having an imperforate floor, the floor and tank forming a relatively narrow opening therebetween. The floor forces the underlying solution to flow through the opening at a relatively high velocity to sweep with it any sludge or sediment which may have previously settled on the bottom of the tank. Such solution flows above the basket floor and washes against the item being cleaned. Any sediment entering the solution tends to settle on top of the floor. When the basket is raised, it enables a drainage passage to be opened, permitting a remaining portion of the solution as well as a rinsing liquid to flow along the floor and through the drainage passage, sweeping with it such sediment, etc., which had previously settled on the basket floor.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying lubricant to articles such as connectors. The connectors 10 with projecting terminals 12 are loaded into a holder 19 enclosed within a housing 16 having an entry door 23. The door is shut and lubricant is pumped into a tank 28 to overflow into a catch receptacle 66 whereafter the holder is moved to dip the terminal ends into the lubricant. During the dipping operation a pair of locking members 98 and 133 are positioned to block opening of the door. Following the dipping operation the locking member 98 is withdrawn while the lubricant is drained from the receptacle. Upon completion of the draining of the receptacle, facilities 126-132 are operated to withdraw the locking member 133 thus permitting an attending operator to open the door without exposure to any noxious frames emanating from the lubricant.

Abstract: In a dip treating apparatus for carrying out a multiple-step process, e.g. for film processing, the objects to be treated are transferred in separate groups step by step through a row of stations by means of a series of individually operatable conveyors, one for each adjacent pair of stations. Each such conveyor comprises a vertically extending guideway along which a slide member is reciprocatable by means of a working cylinder, the piston of which is pneumatically driven at an operating speed controlled by a flow of liquid through a variable restriction.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for washing semiconductor materials is provided, which comprises any type of washing container in which a predetermined number of semiconductor materials held in a carrier are washed with pure water, and one or a plurality of shower devices mounted above said washing container to thereby wash the semiconductor materials held in a carrier with new pure water when the semiconductor materials are being lifted up.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for moving articles in a continuous manner through a fluid bath.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for moving articles in a continuous manner through a fluid bath and for cleaning such articles by electrical energy comprising: a trough for holding said fluid bath, having an article feeding area and an article dispensing area; a ratchet conveyor having ratchet surfaces consisting of a plurality of ratchet floors and ratchet walls arranged in a stepwise fashion along a baseline, said ratchet conveyor having at least a portion thereof which is nonconductive; electrical energy cleaning structure including a plurality of electrodes, at least one of which is located substantially at said nonconductive portion of said ratchet conveyor, said structure capable of passing electrical current between said electrodes while in a fluid bath and at a current density sufficient to enhance cleaning of said articles; suspension structure connected to said ratchet conveyor so as to permit movement of said ratchet conveyor cyclically through an arc; and, drive structure connect

Abstract: A cleaning machine of the type utilized for the cleaning and degreasing of parts, in which the item to be cleaned is positioned within a cleaning chamber mounted on a turntable platform and cleaning sprays directed at the part. The part is conveniently loaded by movement of the turntable platform on a trolley towards the front of the machine through an access door to the cleaning chamber to be positioned in a loading station. An externally mounted operating mechanism for the turntable trolley is disclosed consisting of a cable cylinder mounted along side the cleaning machine cabinet operating a system of cables secured to the front and rear of the trolley and causing the trolley to be moved between its loading and cleaning positions.

Abstract: In a degreasing apparatus the articles to be degreased are placed in a holder fastened to two sprocket wheels. Each sprocket wheel is suspended in an endless chain. Movable sprocket wheels connected by a wire to a winding chain provided to form at least one loop on each endless chain, resulting in the holder being lifted from a lower position in a degreasing solvent to an upper position outside the solvent. A motor driving a sprocket wheel in turn drives a chain which is trained over a stationary sprocket wheel for rotating the stationary sprocket wheel engaging the endless chain, resulting in the holder being rotated irrespective of its position in the apparatus.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention relates to an agitating device which is to effect cleaning of metallic parts in a cleaning solution with the parts being submerged in a volume of the solution contained within a container. A valve rod is movably mounted within a housing and the valve rod is low frictionally mounted for movement by a spring biased ball bearing assembly. Pressurized air is to be selectively conducted and discharged into a piston chamber. A piston is movably mounted within the piston chamber against the action of a spring. The piston is tightly sealed with respect to the chamber wall.