Plural, Separately Fed, And Either Simultaneously Applied Or Admixed, Treating Fluids Patents (Class 134/36)
  • Patent number: 8349090
    Abstract: A process for removing carbonaceous deposits on surfaces of catalysts and plant parts by treating the deposits with a superheated stream of steam admixed at least temporarily with an oxygenous gas is provided, which involves, in each case monitoring the offgas CO2 content after condensation of the steam, at a temperature of at least 300° C.: (a) treating the carbonaceous deposits with superheated steam at a temperature of at least 300° C. until the CO2 content of the offgas has exceeded a maximum; (b) then, with further supply of superheated steam, commencing oxygen supply, the amount of oxygen supplied being adjusted such that the CO2 content in the offgas decreases further until it has fallen to a value of <1% by volume; and then (c) ending the supply of superheated steam and passing an oxygenous gas over remaining amounts of carbonaceous deposits until the deposits have been virtually removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Manfred Winter, Hagen Weigl, Andreas Kramer
  • Publication number: 20130000684
    Abstract: A cleaning method of cleaning a joint surface of a processing target substrate separated from a superposed substrate, while the processing target substrate is placed inside an annular frame and held by a tape bonded to a surface of the frame and a non-joint surface of the processing target substrate, the cleaning method including: a placement step of placing a cleaning jig to face the processing target substrate such that a supply surface of the cleaning jig for supplying a solvent for the adhesive onto the joint surface of the processing target substrate covers the joint surface and a distance between the supply surface and the joint surface is a predetermined distance; and a cleaning step of then supplying the solvent between the supply surface and the joint surface and diffusing the supplied solvent over the joint surface by a surface tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasutaka SOMA, Naoto Yoshitaka, Hiroshi Komeda, Eiji Manabe, Osamu Hirakawa, Masatoshi Deguchi, Takeshi Tamura
  • Patent number: 8343286
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of washing ware, in particular in an automatic domestic or institutional ware washing machine, using a detergent composition containing a cationic starch. This eliminates the need for a surfactant in the rinse step. The cationic starch provides a layer of cationic starch on the ware so as to afford a sheeting action in an aqueous rinse step without any added rinse agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonius Maria Neplenbroek, Julie Jessica Beau, Florian Romain Marie Raphanel
  • Publication number: 20120312336
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid processing apparatus capable of efficiently processing a pattern formation surface of a wafer, while preventing diffusion of a chemical-liquid atmosphere which might possibly occurs during a chemical-liquid process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Norihiro ITOH, Kazuhiro AIURA
  • Patent number: 8323416
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more scale deposits formed on a surface. The process can include contacting the surface with a composition for a period of time sufficient to remove the scale deposits that comprise coke or metal sulfides or mixtures thereof. Generally, the composition includes an effective amount of an organic acid and/or a salt thereof, and an effective amount of an oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Steven A. Bradley, Walter Zamechek
  • Patent number: 8317932
    Abstract: A substrate is placed on a plurality of support pins within an opening of a carrier, such that a gap exists between the radial perimeter of the substrate and the carrier. The substrate and carrier are passed in a linear direction through a meniscus generated between respective faces of upper and lower proximity heads. Each of the upper and lower proximity heads includes a plurality of meniscus nozzles configured to supply liquid to the meniscus. A plurality of vacuum ports are formed on the respective face of each of the upper and lower proximity heads and are arranged to completely surround the plurality of meniscus nozzles. Liquid of the meniscus is evacuated from the gap between the radial perimeter of the substrate and the carrier so as to reduce a size and a frequency of at least one of entrance or exit marks on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Robert O'Donnell, John de Larios, Mike Ravkin
  • Publication number: 20120291819
    Abstract: A rotary atomizing head (125, 226) is rotatably provided on a leading end of a coating gun (115, 215). The rotary atomizing head (125, 226) is provided with a central paint discharge opening (141, 241) provided in a vicinity of a rotation axis (137, 237) of the rotary atomizing head (125, 226) and an outer paint discharge opening (142, 242) having a central axis (148, 248) inclined relative to the rotation axis (137, 237). A cleaning nozzle (124, 225) has an axis (127, 228) which aligns with the central axis (148, 248) of the outer paint discharge opening (142, 242) when the coating gun (115, 215) is cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Wakimoto, Masaaki Shoji, Yutaka Hariya, Koji Ikeda, Yoshiyuki Kumano, Toshiyuki Kokubo, Shinji Noda
  • Publication number: 20120291818
    Abstract: A method of warewashing for the optimization of cleaning is obtained, excess detergent usage is minimized and further where deposit of film on ware is reduced in an alternating acidic and alkaline cleaning method. According to the invention, the type of acid and alkalinity used, or acid salt formed upon application of the acidic and alkaline washes is important to cleaning performance and phosphate or silicates should be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Lee J. Monsrud, Michael S. Rischmiller, John Mansergh, Daniel Osterberg
  • Patent number: 8313580
    Abstract: A method for processing a substrate is provided. The method includes generating a controlled meniscus using a proximity head. The proximity head has a face in close proximity to a surface of the substrate, and the face includes a substantially flat surface. The controlled meniscus is generated by delivering a chemical to the meniscus through discrete nozzles formed in the face of the proximity head. The method includes moving the proximity head over the substrate so that an area of contact between the meniscus and the surface of the substrate moves from a first location to a second location on the substrate. The moving of the proximity head causes a chemical remainder to be left behind on the surface of the substrate at the first location. The chemical remainder being a layer of the chemical from the meniscus that adheres to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mike Ravkin, Alex Kabansky, John de Larios
  • Patent number: 8303723
    Abstract: In a liquid processing apparatus configured to remove, from a substrate including a first film and a second film formed above the first film, the first film and the second film, a first chemical-liquid supply part supplies, to a substrate W, a first liquid for dissolving the first film, a second chemical-liquid supply part supplies a second chemical liquid for weakening the second film, and a fluid supply part serving also as an impact giving part gives a physical impact to the second film so as to break the second film and supplies a fluid for washing away debris of the broken second film. A control device controls the respective parts such that, after the second liquid has been supplied and then the fluid has been supplied from the fluid supply part, the first chemical liquid is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Teruomi Minami, Fumihiro Kamimura, Kazuki Kosai, Takashi Yabuta, Kenji Yokomizo, Shogo Mizota
  • Publication number: 20120273012
    Abstract: A technique for cleaning a tea concentrate brewing mechanism including heat exchanger tubing and concentrate receptacles employs a safe and effective aqueous chlorine dioxide solution. A chemical dispensing unit employs a venturi body that mixes a sodium chlorite sanitizer with a weak-acid activator injected into the water flow. Preset water-flow rate metering regulation draws in equal amounts of sanitizer and activator. The chemicals are made up in respective concentrations so that the same volume is required of each one. The cleansing solution may be flowed through the brewing mechanism or sprayed on surfaces to be cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Barry L. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8298346
    Abstract: A substrate processing method includes: supplying a fluid to a resist on a substrate after an ion implantation in which the resist is used as a mask; and supplying a stripping liquid to the resist for stripping the resist after the supplying the fluid. A cured layer is formed in a surface of the resist in the ion implantation. The fluid is purified water or a mixed fluid of purified water and an inert gas. A volume flow rate of the purified water is not less than 1/400 of a volume flow rate of the inert gas when the mixed fluid is supplied as the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shunsuke Saitou
  • Patent number: 8298341
    Abstract: A method is used for removing a metal contaminant deposited on a quartz member selected from the group consisting of a reaction tube, wafer boat, and heat-insulating cylinder of a vertical heat processing apparatus for a semiconductor process. The method includes obtaining the quartz member unattached to the vertical heat processing apparatus; then, performing diluted hydrofluoric acid cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of diluted hydrofluoric acid; then, performing first purified water cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of purified water; then, performing hydrochloric acid cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of hydrochloric acid; and then, performing second purified water cleaning of cleaning the quartz member by use of purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Katoh, Tsuneyuki Okabe, Kohichi Orito, Takashi Chiba
  • Patent number: 8298345
    Abstract: A heat exchanger may be cleaned by introducing compressed nitrogen and a flushing composition through an injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: The Rectorseal Corporation
    Inventors: Eva Ackerman, Yanwei Cen, William Francis Flynn, Richard Garza
  • Patent number: 8293020
    Abstract: A megasonic cleaning method and a megasonic cleaning apparatus are provided. Microcavitation bubbles may be formed by applying an electromotive force to a cleaning solution using a megasonic energy in a separate room from an object to be cleaned. The microcavitation bubbles having a stable oscillation among the formed microcavitation bubbles may be moved to the object to be cleaned. A surface of the object to be cleaned may be cleaned using the microcavitation bubbles having the stable oscillation. Particles attached onto the surface of the object to be cleaned may be effectively removed while preventing pattern damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hyuck Choi, Won-Jung Kim, Ho-Young Kim, Hyung-Ho Ko, Jong-Keun Oh, Chan-Uk Jeon, Keun-Hwan Park
  • Publication number: 20120255581
    Abstract: A cleaning and drying-preventing method including: positioning a nozzle in a container such that a funnel-like inner circumferential surface of the container is located around a periphery of a distal end of the nozzle; sucking a liquid in the nozzle to retract a level of the liquid to a side of a supply passage; supplying a solvent into the container to form a swirl flow of the solvent turning around the distal end of the nozzle, and cleaning the nozzle by the swirl flow; supplying a solvent into the container to form a liquid pool of the solvent; and further retracting the level of the liquid in the nozzle to the side of the supply passage. A liquid layer, an air layer, and a solvent layer are formed in the nozzle in this order from the side of the supply passage, to prevent drying of the liquid in the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki KOMETANI, Takeshi Hirao, Kentaro Yamamura, Kenichi Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20120255584
    Abstract: A method of cleaning cylinders (5) and/or rolls (5), e.g., working rolls (5) in a rolling stand, wherein a liquid is sprayed onto the cylinders (5) at high pressure through several nozzles (D1-Dn) of a number of nozzles (D1-Dn) stationary arranged in and/or on a nozzle beam (10), with at least one on-off valve being associated with each nozzle (D1-Dn), and one or several nozzle(s) (D1-Dn) are sequentially switched on and off one after another starting from one end of the nozzle beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Gramer, Peter De Kock, Rolf Brisberger
  • Patent number: 8282744
    Abstract: Disclosed is to supply processing liquid having a predetermined flow rate and concentration to substrate processing units of a substrate processing apparatus with high accuracy. The substrate processing apparatus, which processes substrates in the substrate processing units using the processing liquid supplied from a processing liquid supply part, sequentially carries the substrates to the respective substrate processing units, and controls the processing start time such that if the flow rate of the processing liquid used in one of the substrate processing units is less than the control flow rate that is controllable at the processing liquid supply part, the substrates are carried to the plurality of substrate processing units until a flow rate of the processing liquid reaches the control flow rate that is controllable at the processing liquid supply part and then the processing liquid is used simultaneously in the plurality of the substrate processing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Shigenori Kitahara
  • Publication number: 20120247505
    Abstract: Provided is a method and system for increasing etch rate and etch selectivity of a masking layer on a substrate in an etch treatment system, the etch treatment system configured for single substrate processing. The method comprises obtaining a supply of steam water vapor mixture at elevated pressure, obtaining a supply of treatment liquid for selectively etching the masking layer over the silicon or silicon oxide at a set etch selectivity ratio, placing the substrate into the etch processing chamber, combining the treatment liquid and the steam water vapor mixture, and injecting the combined treatment liquid and the steam water vapor mixture into the etch processing chamber, wherein the flow of the combined treatment liquid and the steam water vapor mixture is controlled to maintain a set etch rate and a set etch selectivity ratio of the masking layer to silicon or silicon oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: IAN J. BROWN, WALLACE P. PRINTZ
  • Patent number: 8277564
    Abstract: A method for removing a hardened photoresist from a semiconductor substrate. An example method for removing a hardened photoresist layer from a substrate comprising a low-? dielectric material preserving the characteristics of the low-?dielectric material includes: a)—providing a substrate comprising a hardened photoresist layer and a low-? dielectric material at least partially exposed; b)—forming C?C double bonds in the hardened photoresist by exposing the hardened photoresist to UV radiation having a wavelength between 200 nm and 300 nm in vacuum or in an inert atmosphere; c)—breaking the C?C double bonds formed in step b) by reacting the hardened photoresist with ozone (O3) or a mixture of ozone (O3) and oxygen (O2) thereby fragmenting the hardened photoresist; and d)—removing the fragmented photoresist obtained in step c) by wet processing with cleaning chemistries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: IMEC
    Inventors: Quoc Toan Le, Els Kesters, Guy Vereecke
  • Patent number: 8278186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wafer cleaning and a wafer bonding method using the same that can improve a yield of cleaning process and bonding property in bonding the cleaned wafer by cleaning the wafer using atmospheric pressure plasma and cleaning solution. The wafer cleaning method includes the steps of providing a process chamber with a wafer whose bonding surface faces upward, cleaning and surface-treating the bonding surface of the wafer by supplying atmospheric pressure plasma and a cleaning solution to the bonding surface of the wafer, and withdrawing out the wafer from the process chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ltrin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Won Cha, Dong Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8268085
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a diffusion barrier over a gate dielectric of a metal-gate transistor over a substrate is provided. The method includes cleaning the diffusion barrier with a first solution including at least one surfactant. The amount of the surfactant of the first solution is about a critical micelle concentration (CMC) or more. The diffusion barrier is cleaned with a second solution. The second solution has a physical force to remove particles over the diffusion barrier. The second solution is substantially free from interacting with the diffusion barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Matt Yeh, Shun Wu Lin, Hui Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20120227771
    Abstract: A rinsing and drying apparatus of a clinical analyzer probe drain station is provided. The rinsing and drying apparatus has a group of nozzles that are offset from a longitudinal axis of a probe passage and may be inclined and oriented to provide tangentially oriented fluid-jet trajectories exiting into the sample probe passage. The offset nozzles, nozzle orientation, and cavity geometrical features of the device permit the drying capacity of probe-impinging planar air-knife jets to be maximized by stabilizing local internal fluid movement to form a swirling (e.g., helical) gas flow field directed away from a drying region and toward a vacuum exhaust. The rinsing and drying apparatus eliminates rinse water re-circulated entrainment and up-wash (spitting) during the air-knife drying operation. Therefore, the rinsing and drying apparatus significantly reduces water carryout on sampling probes thereby reducing sample/reagent dilution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS INC.
    Inventors: Raymond Waterbury, Antoine Elias Haddad, John Paul Mizzer
  • Publication number: 20120227770
    Abstract: There are provided a two-fluid nozzle for effectively performing a liquid process on a substrate while suppressing a damage on the substrate, and a substrate liquid processing apparatus, a substrate liquid processing method and a storage medium using the two-fluid nozzle. The two-fluid nozzle includes a first liquid discharge hole for discharging a first liquid and a gas discharge hole for discharging a gas, and discharges, toward a target object, a mixed fluid of the first liquid discharged from the first liquid discharge hole and the gas discharged from the gas discharge hole. The mixed fluid is mixed at an outside of the two-fluid nozzle. The two-fluid nozzle further includes a second liquid discharge hole for supplying a second liquid toward an outer periphery of a target spot on the target object or toward an inner side of the outer periphery of the target spot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoshi Kaneko, Yoshihiro Kai
  • Publication number: 20120216840
    Abstract: A plurality of spray units spray a cleaning liquid to a plurality of spray-target regions between which a site to be cleaned is interposed. The plurality of spray-target regions are linearly extending. The plurality of spray-target regions each has a spray pattern characterized in that a spray direction when viewed from a direction where the plurality of spray-target regions are linearly extending is perpendicular to a plane including the spray-target region. The spray units are disposed such that the plurality of spray-target regions are arranged in juxtaposition each other. The cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray units crashes against the plurality of spray-target regions and thereby generates cleaning liquid flows headed for the site to cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ARAKAWA CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Taishi Nishigaki
  • Publication number: 20120211033
    Abstract: An endoscope processing apparatus of the invention includes: a cleaning tank which can house an endoscope; a liquid drainage port, a liquid inlet port and a discharge port which are opening portions provided to the cleaning tank; a first-liquid introducing section which introduces a first liquid into a multipurpose conduit; a second-liquid introducing section which introduces a second liquid into the multipurpose conduit; a gas-liquid mixing section which mixes a liquid in the multipurpose conduit with gas, to deliver the mixed fluid to the discharge port; a liquid-feeding section which delivers a liquid in the multipurpose conduit to the gas-liquid mixing section; and an opening/closing section which opens and closes a connection between the multipurpose conduit and the gas-liquid mixing section; and a compressor which delivers the gas to the gas-liquid mixing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: OLYMPUS MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Hideto ONISHI, Daisaku NEGORO, Yoko Negoro
  • Patent number: 8246757
    Abstract: Pyrolysis methods for disassociating an organic mass, or coating from an article, by placing the article in an air tight processing chamber, circulating a gaseous mixture of ambient air and at least 40% water vapor from an opening, through the processing chamber and out of an exhaust port, and maintaining the processing chamber at a temperature above 650 degrees Fahrenheit for a sufficient time to disassociate the organic material. A batch oven and a continuous processing oven including entrance and exit air closures that utilize the pyrolysis methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: William C. Nowack
  • Patent number: 8241431
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for applying a fluid (32) to items (14) to be cleaned, which items are continuously or intermittently transported in the conveying direction (12) in an automatic cleaning machine, preferably an automatic pass-through dishwasher. At least two, preferably tubular, spray bodies (26.1, 26.2, 26.3, . . . 26.n) which are spaced apart from one another are arranged in at least one spray plane (22, 24) which is oriented parallel to the conveying direction (12) of the items (14) to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Stefan Scheringer, Michael Streb, Engelbert Ecker, Thomas Peukert, Bruno Gaus, Joachim Kupetz, Wendelin Hils, Denis Lehmann, Thomas Roederer
  • Patent number: 8241428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid acidic hard surface cleaning composition having a pH of from 2 to 2.9 and comprising formic acid and an alkaline material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Laura Cermenati, William Mario Laurent Verstraeten
  • Patent number: 8231733
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method used to remove post etch organic and inorganic residue as well polymeric residues and contaminants from semiconductor substrates. In one aspect, the method involves contacting the substrate with a composition are comprised of a water soluble organic solvent, a sulfonic acid and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew I. Egbe, Darryl W. Peters
  • Patent number: 8231735
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CMP polishing slurry comprising cerium oxide particles, an organic compound having an acetylene bond (triple bond between carbon and carbon) and water, and a method for polishing a substrate which comprises a step of polishing a film to be polished of the substrate with the polishing slurry. In a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) technique for flattening inter layer dielectrics, insulating films for shallow trench isolation and the like in a manufacturing process of semiconductor devices, the present invention enables the effective and high-speed polishing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Haga, Yuto Ootsuki, Yasushi Kurata, Kazuhiro Enomoto
  • Patent number: 8231732
    Abstract: A cleaning method that can prevent abnormal wear of an O-ring. A cleaning gas containing at least oxygen gas is supplied to the interior of a chamber in which a substrate is accommodated, and radio-frequency voltage is applied to the interior of the chamber to produce oxygen radicals from the cleaning gas. When the amount of deposit produced in the chamber in plasma processing is larger than a predetermined amount, the amount of fluorine radicals in the chamber is increased, and when the amount of the deposit is smaller than the predetermined amount, the amount of fluorine radicals in the chamber is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yusuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8226774
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for cleaning interiors of passageways in endoscopes or other luminal medical devices by flow of liquid and gas therethrough. The liquid flow may include rivulets, droplets or other liquid entities which move on the internal surfaces of the passageways, and may include a three-phase contact interface between liquid and dry solid and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Trade & Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Emam Labib, Ching-Yue Lai, Yacoob Tabani, Ziye Qian, Stanislav S. Dukhin, Joseph J. Murawski
  • Patent number: 8216390
    Abstract: A cleaning and drying-preventing method including: positioning a nozzle in a container such that a funnel-like inner circumferential surface of the container is located around a periphery of a distal end of the nozzle; sucking a liquid in the nozzle to retract a level of the liquid to a side of a supply passage; supplying a solvent into the container to form a swirl flow of the solvent turning around the distal end of the nozzle, and cleaning the nozzle by the swirl flow; supplying a solvent into the container to form a liquid pool of the solvent; and further retracting the level of the liquid in the nozzle to the side of the supply passage. A liquid layer, an air layer, and a solvent layer are formed in the nozzle in this order from the side of the supply passage, to prevent drying of the liquid in the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kometani, Takeshi Hirao, Kentaro Yamamura, Kenichi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8216389
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning method that includes: a step in which, while a substrate holder is being continuously rotated, a to-be-discharged position of the cleaning liquid on the substrate is changed to an eccentric position deviated from the central part of the substrate, and a gas is discharged from a gas nozzle to the central part of the substrate so as to form a dried area of the cleaning liquid under a condition in which a shortest distance between an edge of a cleaning liquid flow output from the cleaning-liquid nozzle and an edge of a gas flow output from the gas nozzle is set between 9 mm and 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Kousuke Yoshihara, Yuichi Yoshida, Taro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8216383
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and treatment system for rapid cleaning and protecting of automotive cooling systems containing controlled atmosphere brazed aluminum heat exchangers. The method and treatment system can optionally include a conditioning (passivating) step. The treatment system can comprise three different parts: (1) cleaner or cleaning solution; (2) conditioner or conditioning solution; and (3) compatible CAB aluminum protective heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Prestone Products Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Aleksei V. Gershun, Peter M. Woyciesjes
  • Patent number: 8216384
    Abstract: Embodiments of the current invention describe a cleaning solution for the removal of high dose implanted photoresist, along with methods of applying the cleaning solution to remove the high dose implanted photoresist and combinatorially developing the cleaning solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Nitin Kumar, Guizhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8211239
    Abstract: A method for cleaning used beer kegs employing an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, nitric acid and one or more surfactants, e.g., a detergent and/or wetting agent. Preferably, the aqueous cleaning solution has a total nitric acid content of 12 wt % or less. Complete cleaning can be achieved without using any caustic. The cleaning solution can be recycled repeatedly to clean multiple kegs on numerous occasions over a period of time, e.g., several weeks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Birko Corporation
    Inventor: Dana J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120160272
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cleaning method to a process for fabricating a semiconductor. The method comprises steps as follows: A semiconductor substrate is first provided. An atomized spray are then continually supplied for a first time interval to clean the semiconductor substrate; and a water film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate at or before a start point of the first time interval to buffer the impact imposed by the atomized spray, wherein the water film is preserved for a second time interval at least partially overlaps the first time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: UNITED MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Tsung-Hsun TSAI
  • Patent number: 8202370
    Abstract: To provide a method for removing an acidic deposit containing a sulfur compound, whereby the terminal point of the cleaning state can be ascertained simply and efficiently without necessity to visually directly observe the cleaning state or to observe the behavior of the pH value of the cleaning fluid. A method for removing an acidic deposit containing a sulfur compound, which comprises contacting the acidic deposit with a prescribed amount of an aqueous cleaning fluid, characterized in that the concentration of sulfate ion (SO42?) in the aqueous cleaning fluid is measured, and the contact with the aqueous cleaning fluid is terminated after the increase per hour of the measured value becomes 15 not more than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Sakurai, Masaharu Emoto
  • Patent number: 8197605
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one alkanesulfonic acid of formula R—SO3H, in which R represents a saturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon chain containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, as agent for cleaning cement, mortar, concrete, lime, laitance and other derived products. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning cement, mortar, concrete, lime, laitance and other derived products using at least one alkanesulfonic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Arkema France
    Inventors: Jean-Alex Laffitte, Bernard Monguillon
  • Patent number: 8197606
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate cleaning method for prevent damage to a pattern formed on a substrate. The substrate cleaning method includes cleaning the substrate by striking cleaning particulates carried in a flow of dry air or inert gas against a surface of the substrate, and removing the cleaning particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsukasa Watanabe, Naoki Shindo, Hiroki Ohno, Kenji Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 8197993
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of manufacturing a transfer mask with use of a mask blank in which a thin film for pattern formation and a chromium-based thin film made of a material containing chromium are stacked on a transparent substrate in this order. The thin film for pattern formation is made of material containing silicon and a transition metal other than chromium. The chromium-based thin film is made of a material containing chromium. Exposure light having a wavelength of 200 nm or less is applied to the transfer mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Hashimoto, Kazuya Sakai, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Kazunori Ono
  • Publication number: 20120138098
    Abstract: A system and method of forming and using a proximity head. The proximity head includes a head surface including a first zone, a second zone and an inner return zone. The first zone including a first flat surface region and multiple first discrete holes connected to a corresponding first conduit and arranged in a first row. The second zone including a second flat region and multiple second discrete holes connected to a corresponding second conduit. The inner return zone being disposed between and adjacent to the first zone and the second zone and including multiple inner return discrete holes connected to a corresponding inner return conduit and arranged in an inner return row. The first row and the inner return row are parallel. A portion of an edge of each of the inner return discrete holes is recessed into the head surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Robert O'Donnell, Cheng-Yu (Sean) Lin, Arnold Kholodenko
  • Patent number: 8192553
    Abstract: A soaking composition including an alkalinity source, a metal protector, a surfactant, water, a threshold agent, a binding agent, and a polymer blend that functions as a binding agent and a hard water modifier. The polymer blend includes a polymaleic acid, a polycarboxylic acid and a sodium polyacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Edward J. Snodgrass, Jaclyn J. Steep
  • Patent number: 8187389
    Abstract: A resist removing device 1 functions to remove a resist from a substrate while preventing occurrence of popping phenomenon and at the same time attains reduction in cost of energy for the resist removing and has a simplified constitution. The resist removing device 1 is equipped with a chamber 2 for containing therein a substrate 16 (for example, a substrate having a high-doze ion implanted resist), and with a pressure below the atmospheric pressure, the chamber 2 is fed with ozone gas, unsaturated hydrocarbons and water vapor. The ozone gas may be an ultra-high concentrated ozone gas that is produced by subjecting an ozone containing gas to a liquefaction-separation with the aid of a vapor pressure difference and then vaporizing the liquefied ozone. For cleaning the substrate 16 thus treated, it is preferable to use ultra-pure water. The chamber 2 is equipped with a susceptor 15 for holding the substrate 16. The susceptor 15 is heated to a temperature of 100° C. or below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinori Miura
  • Publication number: 20120125368
    Abstract: There are provided a liquid processing method and a liquid processing apparatus capable of removing a resist film without removing an underlying film when removing the resist film from a substrate on which the underlying film and the resist film are formed in sequence from the bottom and into which ions have been previously implanted. In the liquid processing method capable of processing a substrate by a processing solution, the method includes removing the resist film from the substrate by supplying the processing solution at a temperature of about 120° C. or higher to the substrate. The processing solution includes a sulfuric acid and a nitric acid at a preset ratio, and the substrate has thereon the underlying film and the resist film formed on the underlying film, and ions have been previously implanted into the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Miyako KANEKO, Yasushi FUJII, Kenji SEKIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20120125375
    Abstract: A cleaning material is applied to a surface of a substrate. The cleaning material includes one or more polymeric materials for entrapping contaminants present on the surface of the substrate. A rinsing fluid is applied to the surface of the substrate at a controlled velocity to effect removal of the cleaning material and contaminants entrapped within the cleaning material from the surface of the substrate. The controlled velocity of the rinsing fluid is set to cause the cleaning material to behave in an elastic manner when impacted by the rinsing fluid, thereby improving contaminant removal from the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ji Zhu, Arjun Mendiratta, David Mui
  • Patent number: 8177913
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus comprises a container configured to hold an article to be cleaned, a cleaning solvent dispenser configured to supply a cleaning solvent to the container, an energy generator configured to provide thermal energy to an interior of the container; and a control device in communication with the energy generator and configured to select thermal energy sufficient to sublimate the particles. The cleaning solvent comprises a solvent and nanofabricated particles dispersed therein. The control device controls the energy generator to provide thermal energy to the cleaning solvent in container in which the article is submerged in order to cause sublimation of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Takahisa Kusuura
  • Patent number: 8163098
    Abstract: The disclosure features a method of performing a boil-out cleaning process in connection with a fryer. The fryer includes a vat, a vessel for receiving oil drained from the vat, the vessel movable from an under-unit position, an oil drain path leading from an outlet opening of the vat to the pan, and an oil return path from the vessel back to the vat. The oil return path includes a pump. A drain valve is located along the oil drain path. The drain valve is opened to drain oil from the vat into the vessel is opened. The drain valve is closed after draining the oil from the vat. A boil-out cleaning fluid is delivered to the vat and the boil-out cleaning fluid is heated. A boil-out drain path is provided with an inlet positioned for receiving boil-out fluid from the drain valve and an outlet positioned forward of a front of the fryer unit. A container is placed below the outlet of the boil-out drain path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mullaney, Jr., Paul Forrest, Charles Amoss