Miscellaneous Patents (Class 134/201)
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Patent number: 5857473Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and improved retaining device designed to hold articles in a top or bottom dishwasher rack preventing them from dislodging during a wash cycle. The device comprises a substantially rectangular net member attached to a window shade type roller assembly. The roller assembly may be removably attached to any side of a top or bottom dishwasher rack. The net member has a substantially centrally located aperture for receiving a dishwasher water tower allowing the device to be easily used to retain items placed in a lower dishwasher rack. The net member also has one or more mesh storage pockets on a side thereof allowing additional lightweight articles to be stored therein. Longitudinal stainless steel reinforcement strips are provided on the net member allowing it to be easily retracted within the roller assembly and allowing it to more tightly engage articles stored in the dishwasher rack.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Inventors: Kim Vanover, Larry Vanover
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Patent number: 5857472Abstract: The invention concerns a device for rinsing a fluid-storage space that is provided with a rising chamber fillable with a fluid arranged in the region of the high point of the storage-space floor, which chamber, when the storage space runs empty, abruptly lets the fluid run out through a rinse opening as a rinsing torrent. The rinsing device has a container that serves to hold the rinse fluid; the container is either raisable, so that rinse fluid floods out through its bottom opening, or else the upper edge of the container is lowerable, so that the rinse fluid, coming forth from here, can flood out radially.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Inventors: Lothar Steinhardt, Jorg-Michael Steinhardt
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Patent number: 5853962Abstract: A method of removing photoresist or redeposited material from a substrate or other surface using a carbon dioxide jet spray. A substrate having photoresist or redeposited material on its surface is disposed in an environmental enclosure. A carbon dioxide jet spray is generated and directed onto the surface of the substrate and photoresist or redeposited material. The carbon dioxide jet spray cools or freezes the material and causes a mismatch in the thermal coefficient of expansion of the material and the substrate. The material debonds from the substrate due to the induced thermal shock to the material. This rapid shrinkage loosens the material and allows the solid particles in the spray to knock the material from the surface of the substrate. The removed photoresist or redeposited material may be collected in a filter, and removed.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1996Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Eco-Snow Systems, Inc.Inventor: Charles W. Bowers
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Patent number: 5849104Abstract: A cleaning system (1, 5) having multiple cleaning chambers (200) is provided. Each cleaning chamber (200) includes an interior region sufficient for immersing a carrier (242), which has at least one wafer disposed therein, into an ultra-clean liquid. The cleaning chamber (200) also has an inlet operably coupled to the interior region to introduce a gas into the interior region and a drain operably coupled to the interior region to remove the ultra-clean liquid from the interior region at a selected rate. A controller 14 is operably coupled to the chamber (200) for selectively controlling the selected rate. In an alternative embodiment, an installation technique (80) for the above cleaning system (1, 5) is provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: YieldUP InternationalInventors: Raj Mohindra, David C. Wong, Suraj Puri
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Patent number: 5829278Abstract: An automatic wet towel supplying device includes a cutting member for automatically supplying and cutting a dry cotton cloth, a spraying member for providing uniform dampening moisture to produce a wet towel, and a winding member for winding the wet towel in a rolled state while homogenizing the moisture content in the wet towel.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Inventor: Ja Yoon Koo
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Patent number: 5829459Abstract: A dishwashing machine having a reservoir (6) communicating with the washing tank (1) through a lower aperture (7) connected to the delivery side of a drain pump (3). The reservoir (6) comprises an upper aperture (9) capable of communicating with the outside ambient through a valve (10) which is controlled by the program sequence control switch (13) of the machine so as to open during a pre-determined water discharge phase to enable the reservoir (6) to be filled by the water being let out from the tank (1); to temporarily close so as to prevent said reservoir (6) from emptying after said water discharge phase; and to finally open again so as to enable the water stored in the reservoir (6) to flow back into the washing tank (1), through the lower aperture (7) and the pump (3), to be used during said subsequent phase of the washing process.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.Inventors: Claudio Milocco, Gianluca Tassotti, Giovanni Centis
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Patent number: 5826603Abstract: An improved blind washing device comprising a frame supporting a plurality of open-ended tubes, closure mechanism for selectably closing said tubes, mechanism for elevating one end of said tubes, a hose connection for delivering water into said tubes, a spray arm, an extensible hose connected to deliver water to said spray arm, an outlet drain and filter mechanism connected between said tubes and said outlet drain.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1996Date of Patent: October 27, 1998Inventor: Robert J. Mellein
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Patent number: 5823211Abstract: A dishwasher includes at least one adjustable-height basket to which an associated spray arm and its inlet tube are secured. The inlet tube is disposed horizontally and is connected by a coupling to a supply line secured to a side wall of a tub. An open connection fitting and two closed blind fittings protrude toward the inlet tube. The coupling has two openings into which the connecting fitting and one of the blind fittings respectively protrude. In order to provide a simple way of assuring the joining together of the coupling to the fittings, and to assure that pressure losses in the water supply to the spray arm connected to the coupling through the use of the supply and resultant worsening of the cleaning action are effectively avoided, regardless of how the basket is loaded, the coupling has an end oriented toward the supply line with a centering plate and downstream thereof a sealing plate having flexible sealing lips and being freely movable between a housing of the coupling and the centering plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Johann Wilhelmstatter, Helmut Jerg, Bernd Schessl, Gerhard Fetzer, Michael Hartmann, Markus Hopfl, Karl-Heinz Rehm, Rudolf Schmidt
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Patent number: 5814156Abstract: Foreign material on a surface of a substrate is processed to form a non-solid by-product by providing a gaseous reactant in the vicinity of the foreign material and delivering a beam of radiation to aid the gaseous reactant to react with the foreign material to form the non-solid by-product.In another aspect, radiation for cleaning a surface of a substrate is provided by a laser configured to deliver an original beam of ultraviolet radiation, and optics (e.g., a pair of orthogonal cylindrical mirrors) for shaping the beam to have a cross-section in the form of a line having a width smaller than any dimension of a cross-section of the original beam and a length at least ten times larger than any dimension of the original beam.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: UVTech Systems Inc.Inventors: David J. Elliott, Richard F. Hollman
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Patent number: 5799678Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleansing a semiconductor wafer which is capable of effectively removing the foreign substances from the wafer mounting grooves formed in the boats and the outer surface of the boat, for thus enhancing the reliability of the products. The apparatus includes an outer tub having a first cleansing liquid supply tube for supplying a cleansing liquid therethrough and a discharge tube for discharging the cleansing liquid therethrough, an inner tub disposed within the outer tub, a baffle plate disposed within the inner tub for distributing the cleansing liquid supplied to a wafer, a boat disposed on the baffle plate, on which boat a wafer is mounted, a foreign substance extraction tube disposed in a wafer support position of the boat for introducing the foreign substances formed in the interior of the inner tub thereinto and for discharging the same to the outside, and a second cleansing liquid supply tube for supplying the cleansing liquid to the foreign substance extraction tube.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.Inventor: Suk-Bin Han
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Patent number: 5794635Abstract: Two similar representative versions of an eye glass cleaning machine constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention are seen. In each version an enclosure providing a base having a bowl forming an eye glass cavity supports a pair of eye glasses to be cleaned by means of adjustable clips. In the first version of the invention, a heated cleaning fluid and waste fluid tank and a rinse water tank are filled by a two-way drain valve. In the second version, a heated cleaning fluid tank, a rinse water tank and a waste tank are filled by a three-way drain valve. In both versions of the invention, an electronics card controls the operation of a pump, air pump and a solenoid valve, which determines from which tank (cleaning fluid or rinse water) the fluid supplied to spray nozzles will be taken. The electronics also controls heating elements in the cleaning fluid and rinse water tanks.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 18, 1998Inventor: Kenneth E. Maines
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Patent number: 5791357Abstract: A support jig for thin circular objects comprises two round rods, in each of which depressions, each having a substantially V-shaped cross section, are formed along the circumference of the round rod and perpendicularly to the center axis of the round rod and arranged along the center axis of the round rod. Thin circular objects are inserted into respective depressions formed in the round rods, so that the thin circular objects are supported by the support jig. A cut is formed in each of a plurality of side wall portions which define depressions such that the cut is symmetrical with respect to the perpendicular which connects the center of each of the supported thin circular objects and the center axis of each of the round bars. The support jig can stably retain thin circular objects, particularly wafers, upright so that their upper portions do not vibrate, and can reduce the areas subjected to surface tension.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1997Date of Patent: August 11, 1998Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.Inventor: Norio Hasegawa
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Patent number: 5787911Abstract: A plastic molded, upper dishwasher rack and support assemblies are described. In one embodiment, the upper rack is supported by first and second upper rack support assemblies, and each support assembly includes an elongate slide member and first and second roller assemblies secured to respective sidewalls of the tub. Each elongate slide member includes a channel, and upper and lower flanges. The rollers are located within the channels so that the slide member is movable relative to first and second rollers. Front and rear caps are secured to a front end and a back end, respectively, of each slide member. The flanges and caps facilitate retaining, or trapping, the rollers within the channels. In addition, the front caps have stop members extending inwardly towards the upper rack and cooperate with the upper rack to limit the extent to which the upper rack can be withdrawn from tub.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dwight William Jacobus, John Leo Preher
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Patent number: 5782253Abstract: A system is provided for removing material from a structure having at least one layer of the material formed on a substrate. The system includes a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, with an actively cooled reflector for irradiating a target area of a structure with radiant energy, preferably sufficiently intense in at least the visible and ultraviolet, to break or weaken chemical bonds in the material, and an abrasive blaster for impinging the material after irradiation with a cool particle stream, preferably including of CO.sub.2 particles, to remove the irradiated material and cool the substrate. The system may also include light sensors used in a feedback loop to control the removal process by varying the speed at which the radiant energy source is moved along the structure, the repetition rate of the source, the intensity of the source, the pulse width of the source and/or the distance between the source and the structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 1994Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignees: McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Maxwell Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Cates, Richard R. Hamm, John D. Hoogerwerl, Michael W. Lewis, Wayne N. Schmitz
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Patent number: 5771909Abstract: A program controlled dishwasher in which magnetic sensors provided adjacent to the dishwasher door respond to magnetic fields of predetermined polarization provided by permanent magnets in a catenulate magnetic key mounted on a dishwasher caddy in a position adjacent the magnetic sensors when the caddy is in the tub of the dishwasher, for generating a verifiable code pattern readable against dishwasher stored programs for the selection and actuation of a program specific to the articles which are stored in the caddy for washing. The polarization patterns on the caddies are specific to the kind of articles stored therein and may be readily altered to accommodate different articles.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Carl Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co.Inventors: Wolfgang Hein, Ulrich Hettenhausen, Frank Kethers, Peter Obermeier
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Patent number: 5765581Abstract: A laundry machine which has a spray head for spraying liquid into laundry machines into a defined target area. The spray head includes a tubular body with first and second groups of spray nozzles in the body wall located at different longitudinal spacings from the inlet. A pressure operated valve is mounted in the body which in a closed position enables low pressure liquid entering the spray head to exit from the first group of spay nozzles and in an open position enables higher pressure liquid to exit from both the first and second groups of spray nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Fisher & Paykel LimitedInventors: Gordon George Badger, Paul Stephen Hood
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Patent number: 5765580Abstract: The present invention relates to a suitable device for completing toilet bowls cleansing, after that water discharged from water hopper has drained, by launching a jet of pressurized water, which device displays the special feature of consisting of a support means carrying a container to be filled/refilled with water, the necessary apparatus form pressurizing said water, and a water launching nozzle body.The support means carrying the above said elements can be suitably statically positioned (fastened), whereas, although it remains functionally connected with said support means, the water launching nozzle body can be moved away from it and, while being hand-carried by the user, can be freely oriented by her/him nearby said support means.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Imetec S.p.A.Inventor: Francesco Dassi
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Patent number: 5762083Abstract: A support for a garbage chute cleaning apparatus includes a cart having ground engaging wheels. Outrigger legs are provided for anchoring and providing lateral stability to the cart. A rotatably mounted reel is provided having a length of line mounted on the cart. Two telescopically extendible vertical support columns are mounted on the cart. A telescopically extendible horizontal cross-beam extends between the two vertical support columns. The horizontal cross-beam has a remote end with a line guide which receives line from the rotatably mounted reel. A Counterweight is mounted to the cart opposite the remote end of the horizontal cross-beam. This provides a counterbalance to a garbage chute cleaning apparatus supported from the line at the remote end of the horizontal cross-beam.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Skyscraper Cleaning Services Inc.Inventor: Douglas Edward Bate
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Patent number: 5758676Abstract: A washer having a tub supported by a front frame, a pair of front supports and a rear frame. The tub defines a wash chamber with a front opening. The front frame has a pair of vertical members respectively disposed adjacent to the opposing side walls of the tub toward the front opening. The front supports each have a nose extending forward from a neck. The necks are respectively secured to lower ends of the vertical members. A door is pivotally secured to the noses of the front supports. A door hinge support is secured between the noses of the front supports so as to secure the front supports from lateral movement.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Duckwall, Bradley B. Hobday
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Patent number: 5759540Abstract: A method and case for disinfection of contact lenses wherein the contact lenses are placed in a double chamber filled with cleaning fluid, for example, hydrogen peroxide, with the case comprising a third chamber or position connected with the double chamber. The third chamber is adapted to take up and hold a tablet containing a neutralization agent such as catalase, so that the hydrogen peroxide in the double chamber is neutralized suitably slowly by admission of the cleaning fluid to dissolve the tablet. By the dissolution of the tablet, oxygen is generated, and an oxygen bubble is formed around the tablet so that the hydrogen peroxide is alternately kept from the tablet and ultimately is admitted access to the tablet. Rather than provide a double chamber, a holder member may be provided for holding the respective contact lenses, with the tablet being accommodated at a lower end of the holder and being exposed to the cleaning fluid when the holder is inserted into the cleaning fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 1995Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Inventor: Tom Buris Nielsen
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Patent number: 5758675Abstract: A washing device for removable dental protheses and other removable dental appliances which includes a base and a removable washing unit mountable on the base. The base has a housing on which the washing unit may be seated, a drive shaft vertically oriented in the housing, and an electric motor for rotating the drive shaft. The washing unit contains a pump adapted to be driven by the drive shaft, a filter assembly, and a fluid reservoir. A denture basket is centrally mounted for free rotation about a vertical axis within the washing unit. Spray nozzles are positioned in the reservoir wall and directed off-center toward the denture basket, causing the basket to rotate as the denture is being cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Inventor: Warner F. Scheyer
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Patent number: 5743282Abstract: The present invention provide for a recuperation basin. The basin comprises a basin section having a bottom and circumscribing walls, and an adjacent liquid storage container having walls circumscribing a central chamber. One of the walls of the basin and one of the walls of the container intermediate the two form a common wall. An aperture is located in the common wall so as to permit passage of liquid in the container chamber into the basin and to permit passage of liquid from the basin into the container chamber by tilting the recuperation basin so the basin is somewhat above the container chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Inventor: Michel Pellerin
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Patent number: 5743280Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleansing a semiconductor wafer which is capable of separating an inner tub into an upper and lower portion, for thus adjustably forming the inner tub, so that it is possible to fold the upper portion of the inner tub when cleansing the wafer, for thus reducing the cleansing space, whereby it is possible to reduce the amount of the cleansing liquid and increasing the cleansing effect.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.Inventor: Suk-Bin Han
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Patent number: 5741054Abstract: A base for a portable washer having a tub supported by a frame with legs. The base is composed of a structural foam and is movably supported by a plurality of casters having upward-projecting pintles. The base defines a plurality of vertical bores and a compartment for holding a mass of material to counterbalance a door that closes the tub. The base also has a pair of angular surfaces for supporting the legs of the frame. The pintles of the casters are securely disposed within the vertical bores of the base.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1996Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventors: Craig H. Becker, Bradley B. Hobday
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Patent number: 5727580Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning overhead gutters. The apparatus includes two inverted J-shaped members connected by a hinge at the apex. Each J-shaped member has a scoop depending downwardly from the apex and a handle arm depending downwardly from the apex, the handle arm being longer than the scoop. The J-shaped members are hinged such that rotating the handle arms toward each other causes the scoops to rotate toward each other thereby grasping debris therebetween. The scoops are pliable and ellipsoidal shaped and can have teeth or bristles. The hinge provides fulcrum type leverage for grasping and dislodging debris. The J-shaped members can be snapped into and out of the hinge. The gutter cleaner includes a coupling for connecting the cleaner to a garden hose through a valve. Water is channeled to a scoop where a baffle directs the water into the scoop and under debris to dislodge and consolidate debris.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1996Date of Patent: March 17, 1998Inventor: John W. Patterson
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Patent number: 5722443Abstract: A parts washer is provided having a cabinet defining an interior space and a mechanism for entraining a liquid and/or vapor in the interior space. The cabinet defines an opening for accessing the interior space from externally of the cabinet. Mounting structure is provided for mounting a closure element to the cabinet for movement selectively between a) an open position wherein the interior space can be accessed through the cabinet opening and b) a closed position. Structure is provided cooperating between the closure element and the cabinet for defining a controlled flow path for the liquid and/or vapor in the interior space with the control flow path configured so that at least one of the liquid and vapor in the interior space is caused to change directions as it traverses the controlled flow path.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1994Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: The Mart CorporationInventors: Ted Marler, Marc Treppler
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Patent number: 5711328Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning device 5, with a cradle structure 7 receiving the shaving head 3 of a shaving apparatus 1, as well as at least one cleaning fluid container 6, 61 and a device adapted to be driven by a motor 28 for feeding the cleaning fluid, wherein the cradle structure 7 receiving the shaving head 3 is arranged separately from the cleaning fluid container 6 and is supplied with cleaning fluid from the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Braun AktiengesellschaftInventor: Gebhard Braun
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Patent number: 5711327Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning articles such as radiators, pizza pans, carburetors, engine parts. A suitable cleaning fluid is placed in a container, and the article to be cleaned is placed in this cleaning fluid. A vibrator is attached to the container such that the vibrations are transferred to the cleaning fluid to clean the articles. The induced waves in the cleaning fluid is a powerful scrubbing force.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Inventor: John T. Fields
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Patent number: 5711170Abstract: A laundry appliance cabinet includes a first panel member of integral construction and at least one additional panel member joined to the first panel member to form a plurality of exterior cabinet walls and a tub within those exterior walls.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Troy Johnson
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Patent number: 5711325Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for carrying out the method for rinsing in a dish washer with a rinse water circuit, in which the rinse water is evacuated from the sump of the wash chamber by means of a circulating pump and, passing through a filter, is supplied to the spray devices in the wash chamber, the filter being cleaned in counterflow to the rinse water by means of introduced cleaning water. During the entire rinsing procedure the filter is cleaned in counterflow, the dirt particles in the filter being kept in suspension. The cleaning water is supplied to the rinse water circuit and preferably removed therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Whirlpool Europe B.V.Inventors: Gerd Kloss, Christa Maurer, Ludwin Rauber, Reinold Rheia
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Patent number: 5709236Abstract: A colostomy pouch rinsing device comprises a faucet coupling assembly including a central elbow member having an upper section including faucet coupling devices and a lower section including a first compression unit; a water control handle including a main body and a control lever coupled thereto; a rubber hose having an inboard end being coupled to the faucet coupling assembly, the outboard end of the hose being coupled to the water control handle; a spray head formed in a hollow, generally cylindrical configuration with an upper end including a plurality of water apertures projecting therethrough; and copper tubing with an inboard end being threadedly coupled to the projection member of the handle and an outboard end formed contiguously with the spray head.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Inventor: Ernest L. Rodriguez
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Patent number: 5678582Abstract: Improved maintenance of skate bearings by means of a hand-tool adapted to rotate the ball bearings of an annular bearing assembly immersed in cleansing liquid to remove lubricant and contaminants. The tool is adapted to hold the outer annular race member of such a bearing assembly fixed and to hold the inner annular race member via its open center for rotation relative to the outer race member, thus rotating the ball bearings in the bearing assembly. Such rotational cleaning is conducive to extending the useful life of the bearings when subsequently re-oiled and re-installed in a skate wheel.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1996Date of Patent: October 21, 1997Inventor: Charles Laird McClure
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Patent number: 5677384Abstract: Grafted polyamidoamines and grafted polyethyleneimines obtainable by free-radically initiated polymerization of(a) 1-vinylpyrrolidone, 1-vinyltriazole, 1-vinylimidazoles, mixtures of said monomers or mixtures of at least one of said monomers with up to 20% by weight of other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of(b) water-soluble or -dispersible polyamidoamines, polyethyleneimines or mixtures thereof in a weight ratio of (a):(b) from 5:95 to 95:5, are useful as dye transfer inhibitors in surfactant-based detergents when included therein in an amount from 0.05 to 10% by weight.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Juergen Detering, Christian Schade, Knut Oppenlaender, Michael Zirnstein, Guenter Scherr, Wolfgang Trieselt, Volker Schwendemann
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Patent number: 5673713Abstract: An improved apparatus for cleansing a semiconductor wafer which is capable of reducing the cleansing space by providing an inner tub made of a shape memory alloy and deforming the shape of the inner tub into the shape of the wafer, for thus reducing the cleansing space. The apparatus includes an outer tub having a supply tube for supplying a cleansing liquid and a discharge tube for discharging the cleansing liquid, an inner tub including an upper portion made of a shape memory alloy and disposed within the outer tub, a temperature control member for controlling the temperature of the cleansing liquid, a baffle plate for controlling the flowing amount of the cleansing liquid supplied to a wafer through the supply tube, a pump disposed in the supply tube for supplying the cleansing liquid into the inner tub, and a filter for filtering the cleansing liquid.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: October 7, 1997Assignee: LG Semicon Co., Ltd.Inventor: Suk-Bin Han
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Patent number: 5661869Abstract: A composition is disclosed for maximizing electrical contact between contact surfaces, consisting essentially of a volatile cleaning agent and an oxidation occluding agent. Also disclosed are applicator devices and methods for cleaning and protecting electrical contact surfaces utilizing this composition.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1996Date of Patent: September 2, 1997Assignee: Tender CorporationInventor: Kenneth M. Grout
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Patent number: 5655556Abstract: A dishwasher with a spray agitator (1) rotating about an axis (2) in alternating opposite directions due to the effect of two nozzles with opposite thrusts (6,7). The nozzles are alternately fed with water under pressure by means of a rotating shutter (13). The shutter is made to rotate by reduction gears (12,14) and a rotor (11) activated by a nozzle (8) provided inside the agitator (1). The dishes are washed efficiently even if a mechanical obstruction interferes with the agitator.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1995Date of Patent: August 12, 1997Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.Inventors: Carlo Guerrera, Franco Marcorin, Dino Munini
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Patent number: 5638843Abstract: A portable collapsible car wash shower for dispensing water onto an exterior of a car. The inventive device includes a pair of vertical conduits and an overhead conduit extending therebetween such that a vehicle can be driven between and beneath the conduits. A plurality of spray nozzles project interiorly from the conduits to spray water onto the associated vehicle. The conduits are connected together by selectively flexible corner couplings which permit the conduits to be selectively pivoted into a parallel orientation for storage.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Inventor: Johnnie Strickland
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Patent number: 5638842Abstract: A device for removing a film-like image forming substance from a recording medium for thereby regenerating the medium. A supply section supplies to the medium a water-containing removal accelerating liquid which causes a swelling layer of the medium to swell more than the substance provided on the medium. A separating section presses, after the liquid has been supplied to the medium, a separating member against the medium with or without heating to thereby transfer the substance from the medium to the separating member and thereby regenerates the medium. A cleaning section removes impurities deposited on the separating member.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Toshiaki Tokita, Akiko Konishi, Yasuo Miyoshi, Kakuji Murakami, Kiyoshi Tanikawa
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Patent number: 5630438Abstract: A warewashing machine has a washing chamber with an enlarged height to increase the chamber's capacity without increasing the warewashing machine's surface area, and has collapsible doors to facilitate larger openings to the enlarged washing chamber. The larger openings and enlarged capacity allow the warewashing machine to wash oversized wares. The collapsible doors allow the full access to the enlarged openings without significantly increasing the minimum height of the ceiling over the warewashing machine. The warewashing machine door also includes a pivoting handle with an downward curving arcuate section to allow the operator to easily reach the handle when the door is fully opened.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1996Date of Patent: May 20, 1997Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Richard Hoover, Ron Grise, Gary Hoying
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Patent number: 5613509Abstract: An improved system and method are provided for removing material coatings or contaminants such as paints from a structure. The system and method include a radiant energy source, such as a flashlamp, for irradiating the target area of the structure with the radiant energy sufficient to initiate the pyrolysis and/or ablation of the coating or contaminant and a low temperature carbon dioxide stream which is directed at the target area to disperse the material from the structure, clean the exposed surface and cool the underlying substrate. The low temperature carbon dioxide stream is formed from a liquid carbon dioxide from a liquid carbon dioxide source which undergoes phase transition to yield a predetermined amount of low temperature carbon dioxide gas and carbon dioxide snow. The system and method eliminate the need for a carbon dioxide pelletizer, a carbon dioxide pellet transport hopper, and a compressed carrier gas which are used in related systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Maxwell Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Alan C. Kolb, Leonard W. Braverman, Cyril J. Silberman, Richard R. Hamm, Michael C. Cates
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Patent number: 5609171Abstract: A lipstick molding mold cleaning apparatus including a water level controller to automatically control the level of water in a washing tank, a plurality of sensors to detect the position of the lipstick molding mold under cleaning, and sets of nozzles controlled by the sensors to respectively wash the lipstick molding mold with washing water, clean the lipstick molding mold with detergent, rinse the lipstick molding mold with rinsing water, and dry the lipstick molding mold with air.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1996Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Inventor: Fu-Chin Kuo
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Patent number: 5595200Abstract: A dishwasher basket (5) slides along horizontal guides to which are attached sliding devices (8) and lateral post-and-slot connectors with two releases (17, 18). The basket (5) can be positioned selectively between an upper position and a lower position, defined by the post-and-slot connectors (17, 18), by applying to the basket a direct upward force so as to activate the connectors.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.Inventor: Daniele Favaro
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Patent number: 5590672Abstract: A semiconductor cleaning apparatus includes a cassette loader/unloader for moving a cassette; a product loader/unloader for loading a wafer into and unloading a wafer from a cassette; a cleaner for cleaning a wafer; a water cleaner for cleaning with water a wafer that has been cleaned in the cleaner; a dryer for drying the wafer that has been cleaned with water in the water cleaner; and a conveyance having a wafer grasping hand for directly holding a wafer unloaded from a cassette and sequentially conveying the wafer held by the wafer hand to the cleaner, the water cleaner, and the dryer.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Ohmori, Hiroshi Tanaka, Akira Nishimoto, Hiroshi Sasai, Naohiko Fujino, Satoru Kotoh
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Patent number: 5573024Abstract: A gutter washer comprising a wheel-shaped guide disposed rotatably on a cylindrical section of a nozzle is adapted to run on a roof gutter rim. The guide comprises a guide rim projecting radially from one end of a guide hub member, which rotates on the nozzle cylindrical section, and a plurality of lugs jutting radially from an opposite end of the hub member. Thus, the hub member becomes a circumferential track with the guide lugs running inside and the guide rim running outside of the gutter rim. When a gutter spike is encountered, the guide lugs step over it while keeping at least 2 lugs below the rim which is tangent to the circumferential track. A rigid tube is attached to the nozzle near the guide rim at a first tube end; the second tube end is adapted for connection of a garden water hose.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventors: Danny L. DeVaney, William DeVaney
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Patent number: 5560782Abstract: The invention provides a method for washing an article and collecting the used wash water as well as a wash pad and a mobile apparatus. A wash truck is modified to include a water treatment unit and a submersible pump for removing used wash water from a water-proof surface, such as pavement or the wash pad. The used wash water is subsequently recycled and reused or disposed of without harm to the environment. The wash pad includes a bottom sheet and a containment wall that together define a containment area for containing the used wash water. A secondary containment area may be defined for wash pads that are used for the washing of vehicles. The wash pad may be rolled for storage upon a reel mounted to the wash truck. Other embodiments provide wash pads for use in washing rail-mounted articles, and the interiors of trailers and shipping containers.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1993Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Inventor: Douglas Latimer
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Patent number: 5560381Abstract: The present invention provides a wash arm assembly for a dishwasher which includes a molded plastic wash arm and a stainless steel cover. The plastic wash arm has a top surface, lateral surfaces, and a bottom surface and the stainless steel cover wraps over the top surface of the plastic wash arm, around the lateral surfaces of the plastic wash arm, and over a portion of the bottom surface of the plastic spray arm to hold the cover on the spray arm. The top surface of the plastic wash arm defines a series of wash jets and the stainless steel cover defines openings aligned with the wash jets so that the metal cover does not interfere with the wash jets.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventor: James M. Edwards
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Patent number: 5558111Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and reconditioning a wafer carrier backing film. The apparatus comprises a flat perforated surface plate with a perforated film or perforated embossed glass plate on its surface; a backing plate connected to the surface plate which is fitted for connection to a cleaning solution supply and a vacuum source; and a contacting mechanism for extension/retraction of the surface plate until it contacts the carrier backing film. Following a wafer unload cycle, the carrier backing film is reconditioned by spraying a cleaning solution at the carrier backing film so as to rinse slurry deposits from the film material; extending the surface plate to make sealed contact with the wafer carrier; initiating a vacuum condition to press the carrier backing film and draw out slurry residuals and excessive water content from within the film; and retracting the surface plate to reconstitute the film as the material draws in surrounding air to break the vacuum condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Michael F. Lofaro
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Patent number: 5558112Abstract: A portable isolation enclosure apparatus for safely removing material from the walls of a building structure while isolating the portion of the walls from which the material is being removed. The apparatus includes an booth with an open top, a plurality of side walls, and at least one open side disposed between two of the side walls. The apparatus is positioned against the wall such that an area of the wall is isolated from the ambient environment and is disposed in the open side of the booth such that a worker located inside the booth can access the area of the wall. A frame is adjustably attached to the booth so as to extend above the top of the booth a desired distance. A vacuum filter system is provided for drawing air from outside the booth into the interior of the booth, filtering the air along with any airborne contaminants, and then exhausting clean air to the environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1995Date of Patent: September 24, 1996Assignee: Southern Concepts, Inc.Inventor: Jerome F. Strieter
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Patent number: 5553933Abstract: Apparatus for use in removing hazardous material from an elongated pipe has an upper work section comprised of a sheet of flexible material having a centrally located opening and a lower debris collection and disposal bag that depends from the upper work section about the opening. Gloves are mounted to the upper work section sheet. So constructed, upon wrapping and securing the upper work section about a pipe with opposite ends thereof drawn upwardly thereto aside the opening, the work section is configured into the shape of a funnel for funneling debris worked from the pipe down into the debris collection and disposal bag.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1994Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Grayling Industries, Inc.Inventor: Kurt D. Ross
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Patent number: 5549760Abstract: A dishwasher tub is provided with insulation mounting bosses on opposite sides. Insulation is hooked over front mounting tabs and draped over the tub. Mounting clips are inserted through the insulation into the bosses. The clip has fingers that engage in apertures of the bosses and a retaining surface that holds the insulation on the tub.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1994Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.Inventor: Craig H. Becker