Abstract: A method and device for removing harmful materials, e.g. asbestos, from areas such as ceilings that do not present an edge over which a container may be secured. The device comprises a flexible container with one end open, means for maintaining the end in a desired configuration and means for maintaining the end in abutting relation to a surface.The walls of the container are provided with gauntlets through which work may be carried out on the surface and the container has a second closable opening with means nearby for retaining the open end of a bag into which the harmful material is to be put.

Abstract: A cleaning kit for use in cleaning surfaces in clean rooms, semiconductor fabrication plants, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, etc. A stack of extremely clean wipers is packaged together with a container of cleaning fluid in a liquid-tight outer container. The outer container is vacuum-sealed. The kit is stored until just before it is to be used. Fluid is released from the inner container into the wipers, preferably by means of a puncturing device operable to puncture one of the walls of the inner container by the application of pressure in a limited area on the outside of the outer container. The cleaning liquid is allowed to soak into the wipers, and the wipers are removed from the outer container for use. The container can be resealed to protect the wipers after the package has been opened. The puncturing device is located away from the edges of the package to minimize the chances of accidental puncture.

Abstract: A novel method for cleaning high precision optical equipment. The method involves applying a curable coating to an optical or optical forming surface which has been contaminated with undesirable foreign matter, then allowing the coating to dry to form a resilient dried film, and then removing the dried film to remove along therewith the undesirable foreign debris which has contaminated the optical surface. Preferably, the curable coating is formed from an aqueous polyurethane emulsion. The method allows foreign debris to be removed with a very high degree of reliability and completeness, so that when the method is used with compact disc stampers, the stampers are restored to a like new condition.

Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for Chemical Delivery Through the Brush used in semiconductor substrate cleaning processes. The chemical solutions are delivered to the core of a brush where the solution is absorbed by the brush and then applied by the brush onto the substrate. This delivery system applies the chemical solutions uniformly to the semiconductor substrate, reduces the volumes of chemical solutions used in a scrubbing process, and helps maintain control of the pH profile of a substrate. This system is described and illustrated in the manner it is used in conjunction with a scrubber that scrubs both sides of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An improved method for decontamination of lead contaminated surface coatings utilizing calcium phosphate minerals. The method for decontamination of lead contaminated surface coatings uses solid calcium phosphate material added to the abrasive blasting media prior to the structure being abrasive blasted. After removal of the lead contaminated surface coating by abrasive blasting with the calcium phosphate--abrasive blasting media mixture, the blown down surface coating and calcium phosphate--abrasive blasting media mixture are left in-situ to allow a chemical reaction to occur which renders the lead immobile and biologically nonhazardous. The calcium phosphate can be in one of several forms which are readily available and inexpensive.

Abstract: The hard floor surface in common food preparation sites can have complex soils that are difficult to remove. Such floor can have two surface qualities. A first surface contains an array of quarry tile. The second surface contains a grid of grout lines surrounding the tile completing the surface. Each surface provides particular soil removal problems. We have found a unique product sequence, used in a method for cleaning hard surface or hard quarry tile floors, that is surprisingly effective in removing soil from both the floor tile surface and grout lines. The resulting clean floor surface maintains a clean quarry tile surface, a white new appearing grout line having no substantial build-up of soil residue. The floors obtain a clean, slip-free surface that is clean, sanitized, and has improved safety from slip and fall accidents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling a brush head for cleaning the surfaces of large objects like aircraft, ships or buildings. The handling device has a multi-joint assembly carrying a brush head (18) on the end extension (14) of an angled mast (13) having, extending from the end extension (14), three motor-driven rotary units (60, 62, 64) arranged one behind the other and having alternately perpendicular axes (60', 62', 64') and a motor-driven telescopic linear unit (66') secured to the last rotary unit (64) and aligned with its axis of rotation (64'). In order to ensure that the brush roller is always perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned along its entire travel, even at points which are difficult of access, the invention proposes that axes (60', 66') of the rotary unit (60) on the end extension side and of the linear unit (66) be arranged in laterally staggered, mutually parallel planes.

Abstract: An improved method for scrubbing a substrate, the method including the step of scrubbing one face of the substrate with a cylindrical rotary brush while applying back pressure to the substrate by jetting a fluid for generating back pressure against the other face of the substrate.

Abstract: Photoconductor scumming in an electrophotographic copying machine is substantially eliminated by using a synthetic fiber cleaning brush that is substantially free from low yield strength, low surface energy materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning and dispensing golf balls from a magazine. The balls are advanced and brushed clean by a brush roll which rotates in the direction of movement of the balls over tracks or paths defined by parallel devices having curved upper ends which surround the underside of the roll. The apparatus also includes a grid which delimits the lower part of the tracks in an upward direction and which extends from the roll to a ball dispensing arrangement. The formation of bridges or ball-clusters in the magazine is counteracted with the aid of an eccentrically mounted roll, and washing liquid is delivered from spray nozzles.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for cleaning the surface of airplanes (44). A large manipulator arranged on a truck (10) is moved towards the airplane (44) up to a predetermined position within its range of action and is parked in that position. A rotary brush bearing head (18) is moved over the surface of the object by means of an articulated mast (13) arranged on the truck (10) and constituted of several extension arms (12, 12', 12", 12'", 14) that may swivel or move with respect to each other at turning knuckles and/or prismatic joints and of a multiple joint (16) arranged at the last extension arm (14).

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing semiconductor devices (10). The device, which could be a semiconductor wafer, an individual chip, or a device that has integrated within it semiconductor devices, such as a compact disk drive, is placed or held upside down with its working surface (12) open. The device (10) is struck, causing particulates (18) attached to the working surface (12) to fall free of the device. Alternately, the device could be sharply decelerated to apply the shock. Additionally, the device could be held substantially vertical and rotated to use centrifugal force to separate the particulates away from the device.

Abstract: A method of cleaning an integrated circuit chip module prior to attaching wire bonds thereto. The method involves disposing a module containing an integrated circuit chip and IC bond pads without wire bonds in an environmental process enclosure. A carbon dioxide jet spray cleaning system having a spray nozzle and orifice assembly is disposed the environmental process enclosure. A jet spray of carbon dioxide is generated using the jet spray cleaning system. The carbon dioxide jet spray is directed onto the surface of the module such that the spray impacts the IC bond pads and module bond pads to clean unwanted adhesive from the surface of the module and thus clean the IC and module bond pads.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for wiping metal contaminants from a surface, especially a circuit board assembly, or other surface exposed to solder paste, and solubilizing the wiping material. Metal contaminants are then easily and safely removed from the solubilized material for safe recycling and/or disposal.

Abstract: A composition for cleaning solder to remove flux, flux reaction products, residues, including residues from manufacturing operations such as plating and photoresist residues and other contaminants, without any significant dissolution of the solder especially solder used in fabricating electronic components such as C4 area array flip chip connectors, is provided. The composition comprises a non-aromatic sulfonic acid and a substituted alcohol with a preferred composition comprising 3 weight % methanesulfonic acid and 97 weight % trifluoroethanol. A method for cleaning solder and solder containing components made using the cleaning method and composition of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for cleaning a rotating cylinder of a rotary printing machine. The apparatus having a washing device, including a washing brush, roller, or cloth, which can be engaged and disengaged from the rotating cylinder to be cleaned. The washing brush roller or cloth can be sprayed with a cleaning fluid (detergent, water) as well as both water. The method and apparatus ensure a controlled guiding of the detergent onto the outer surface of the rotating cylinder, which guarantees an effective cleaning and, at the end of the washing operation, leaves a relatively dry outer surface of the rotating cylinder. The cleaning method is intended to be suitable, in particular, for detergents having a biological base, for example, esters of vegetable oil.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions are presented which surprising exhibit increased cleaning performance as the amount of solubilizing coupler is increased beyond that necessary to fully solubilize a very slightly water-soluble organic solvent component. Methods of use of the compositions to remove hydrophobic soils and soap scum are also described.

Abstract: A method for CMP of, illustratively, tungsten is disclosed. Hydroxylamine or hydroxylamine sulfate are employed to oxidize the metal, while gamma (.gamma.) alumina is employed to abrade the oxidized metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of removing dust deposited on a surface of a vehicle body using a dust-removing brush to release the dust from The surface of the body to remove through aspiration be suction air is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of:horizontally floating the brush with the brush being held in contact with the surface of the vehicle body to allow the dust to be released from the surface of the vehicle body; and flowing the suction air along the bristles from the end region to the root region thereof to effect to aspirate out the released dust as a result of the horizontal floating movement of the brush.

Abstract: A drip chemical delivery system used in semiconductor substrate cleaning processes. A drip chemical delivery system which uses small openings in a pipe (holes) and a low air pressure to saturate the brushes in a double sided brush system. This drip delivery system reduces the volumes of chemical solutions used in a scrubbing process and helps to maintain control of the pH profile of a substrate. This system is described and illustrated in the manner it is used in conjunction with a double sided scrubber.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cleaning mixture for use in cleaning concrete pads. The mixture consists of two components and each of the two components has two ingredients. The first ingredient of the first component consists of an OIL-DRI -type all purpose absorbent clay material while the second ingredient is a cat litter or an addapolgite-type clay. Both of the ingredients of the first component are of a granular material. The second component also has two ingredients, the first is a Kaolin-type clay and the second ingredient is a finely ground clay dust. The first component, when applied to the surface of a contaminated concrete, will loosen and break up the hardened oil or grease deposit while the ingredients of the second component, when applied to the concrete surface after the the residue of the first component has been removed will absorb the oil from the pores and crevices of the concrete and apply a whitening effect to the concrete and also will seal the pores and the crevices of the concrete.

Abstract: A method for removing particulate contaminants from a semiconductor wafer is disclosed. A wafer 10 is held in a wafer holder 12 at cleaning station 14. Cleaning station 14 has a rinse fluid supply system 18 which supplies, e.g. deionized water, to the wafer surface during particle removal. A cleaning pad 20 is mounted on a platen 22, substantially in the plane of wafer 10. Platen 22 is coupled to a drive mechanism 24, which may for example be an electric motor, and drive mechanism 24 is coupled to station 14 by an engagement mechanism 26 which provides vertical displacement to engage pad 20 and wafer 10 for particle removal, and also provides a controlled pad contact pressure during particle removal. In operation, rinse fluid from 18 is supplied to slowly rotating wafer 10, while pad 20 is rotated, preferably at 200 to 600 rpm, and contacted with wafer 10.

Abstract: A solid lavatory cleaning block is formed of a composition comprising a mixture of (A) a surface active component comprising one or more anionic surface active agents; (B) a chlorine release agent component consisting of one or more chlorinated cyanuric acid derivatives; and (C) a source of barium, cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese or nickel ions.In order that the invention may be well understood the following examples are given by way of illustration only.

Abstract: The method substantially removes a soil spot (resulting from a beverage spill or the like) from a carpet by using a particular type of brush. The brush has (a) a detachable handle, (b) a body with a pair of holes therein for attaching the handle to the body at either hole, and (c) first and second brush portions on first and second brush faces, respectively. The brush portions have differing stiffnesses and either portion may be used to "de-spot" carpet by inserting the handle in the appropriate attachment hole. The method includes the steps of identifying the tuft and pile characteristics of the spot-soiled area of carpet and selecting one of the brush portions for use in removing the spot on carpet having such characteristics. The handle is attached to the hole related to the selected brush portion, a granular cleaning product is deposited on the spot and such product is "worked" across and through that portion of the carpet which includes the spot.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the surface of a semiconductor wafer by removing residual slurry particles adhered to the wafer surface after chemical-mechanical polishing is provided. The semiconductor wafer is subjected to a first polishing step using a basic aqueous solution of a nonionic polymeric surfactant comprising alkylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, preferably nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, at a concentration between about 30 to about 100 ppm and a quaternary ammonium hydroxide such as TMAH at a concentration between about 2.5% and about 6% by weight. A downforce of between about 0 and 2 psi (1.4.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2) is applied for at least 15 seconds. A second polishing step with an applied downforce of at least 4 psi is then employed while applying purified water. The method provides at least a ten fold reduction in the number of submicronic slurry particles remaining on the wafer surface and can be completed within a commercially acceptable amount of time. In addition, particles as small as 0.007 .mu.

Abstract: A method of washing a blind which assures that a gap between adjacent louvers of the blind can easily be reduced to a shortest distance and dirty material can reliably be removed from the louvers. The method is practiced such that while the distance between the adjacent louvers is widened, a coil spring-like spacer is pressed against the blind. Offset ring-like portions of the spacer are inserted between the vertically adjacent louvers, and thereafter, the distance between the louvers is reduced to the diameter of a wire material forming the spacer while holding the offset ring-like portions in a clamped state. Subsequently, while the foregoing state is maintained, the blind is washed in a washing liquid circulated by a recirculating pump. Supersonic vibrations, generated by a supersonic vibration generator, are applied to the washing liquid. Then the blind is rinsed in a rinsing bath, and finally, after the coil spring-like spacer is disconnected from the blind, the blind is dried.

Abstract: A method for sanitary cleaning using a sanitary cleaner in liquid or solid form containing organic substances inhibiting microbial action in a quantity of at lest about 0.5 g/kg sanitary cleaner, usual lime-dissolving water-soluble acids, organic substances promoting microbial action, which are resistant against the lime-dissolving water-soluble acid, in a quantity of at least 10 mg/kg sanitary cleaner, and optionally further additives, in which after the dilution or flushing the germs degrading the organic substance of the water are promoted in their effectiveness. The sanitary cleaner contains as germ-promoting organic substance a compound of the general formula (I) R.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--CO--NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 in which R.sub.1 to R.sub.

Abstract: A device for removing debris on upper surfaces of the ties of a railroad track adjacent to the rails thereof includes a frame selectively positioned on the rails such as to be displaced therealong with the frame carrying a pair of cleaning assemblies each including two motorized rotatable brushes adapted to be positioned on both sides of a respective rail such that when the brushes are rotated in their operational position, debris are swept off the upper surfaces of the ties. Each brush is adapted to be vertically displaced with respect to the rails and the ties' upper surfaces and to be horizontally displaced so as to adjust the spacing therebetween in view of the rail's width and the brushing pressure required thereon.

Abstract: A method for removing particles (21-24) begins by providing a substrate (10). The substrate (10) contains one or more integrated circuit layers (12) having a top surface (12A). The particles (21-24) are in contact with top surface (12A). A tape (14) comprising an adhesion layer (16) and a carrier film (18) is applied to the surface (12A) such that the adhesion layer (16) is in contact with the particles (21-24). The tape (14) is then removed from the surface (12A) wherein the adhesion layer (16) is able to remove the particles (21-24) from the surface (12A) of the substrate (10). The tape (14) can be applied to a front or active surface of a semiconductor wafer, where the surface either has a topography containing high areas (37) and low areas (39) or has a planarized surface (12A) in order to reduce a total number of particles (21-24) on the surface (12A).

Abstract: Methods of detoxifying chemical warfare agents and decontaminating surfaces which have been exposed to chemical warfare agents are disclosed. The methods include contacting a composition confining a chemical warfare agent or contaminated surface with a sufficient amount of a sorbent which contains an activated aluminum oxide for a sufficient time and under conditions which are sufficient to produce a reaction product which is less toxic than the chemical warfare agent and/or to reduce the contamination of the surface by the chemical warfare agent.

Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganisms and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention can be used to disinfect a writing instrument used by a health care professional when working with a patient. The apparatus includes an absorbent material pad that has a breach formed, for example, with a slit or a series of slits extending entirely through the pad. The pad is soaked with disinfecting fluid, and a writing instrument is inserted through the breach in the pad to disinfect the writing instrument. To hold the pad in a fixed position, the apparatus includes a holder with first and second members that can be joined together or separated to allow insertion or removal of the pad. The first and second members of the holder define respective apertures that are aligned with the breach in the pad when the first and second members are joined together to enclose the pad.

Abstract: A decontaminating apparatus for removing a layer of contaminated material, such as radioactively contaminated concrete, includes two material removing devices which are driven, alternately, towards and away from one another. Each material removing device includes two rotatable scabbling drums enclosed in a shroud from which removed material is conveyed to a waste collection skip. The material removing devices are mounted at the free ends of two pivotable arms arranged to be driven in mutually opposite directions by a common drive mechanism. A frame supports the two material removing devices, the frame being connected to an articulated arm which extends from a remotely-operated vehicle. The vehicle is located on a platform which can be raised and lowered to facilitate access by the material removing devices to the entire surface under treatment.

Abstract: An anode rough cleaning system has three rough cleaning stations and an overhead conveyor to move spent anode assemblies sequentially through the three stations. The overhead conveyor supports each spent anode assembly in a hanging vertical position with the carbon butt suspended therebeneath. A first station is a vibrating station which vibrates the carbon butt to separate the bath material from the carbon butt. The vibrating station has an inclined surface and a vibrating surface. The overhead conveyor is arranged over the inclined and vibrating surfaces to drag the carbon butt up the inclined surface, causing the spent anode assembly to rotate from the vertical position to an angled position, and then across the vibrating surface with the spent anode assembly in the angled position. A second station is a scraping station positioned downstream of the vibrating station. The scraping station has at least one scraper to scrape the bath material from the carbon butt and stub.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system includes an arch frame that moves on rails over and along the length of a vehicle. A rack support arm is rotatively connected to a horizontal cross member of the frame and a rack with vertically depending cleaning strips is connected to the support arm. Prior to activation, the vertically depending cleaning strips are located on the side(s) of the frame so that an unobstructed vehicle entry and exit way is provided. Once activated, the cleaning strips are rotated into position in contact with the vehicle. Thereafter, the rack support arm is reciprocated to move the strips back and forth across the vehicle as the frame moves. A dual-rod cylinder provides movement of the rack support arm into an active position with the cleaning strips in contact with the vehicle and also provides the reciprocating action. A rocker panel cleaning assembly is provided to clean the sides of the vehicle as the frame moves and the rack support arm reciprocates.

Abstract: A scraper tool includes a handle with an axial shaft with a bend connecting the shaft to a parallel shaft extension that has a triangular carbide blade attached thereto. The tool may be manual gripped by both hands of an operator simultaneously for scraping cylinder blocks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a better lottery ticket scraper. In one form of the invention a substantially circular disk is provided. The edge of the substantially circular disk is integral with at least one flat smooth protrusion. Preferably, the circular disk has four protrusions integral to its edge, each located integral with a pole of the circular disk. The four protrusions each may have the same thickness as the circular disk, or each may be bevelled outward from the disk to a thin edge. In addition, the protrusions may have one surface integral with one surface of the circular disk and the other surface perpendicular to the outer edge of the circular disk.

Abstract: An object (12) may be cleaned by CO.sub.2 reduced ESD by directing a first water mist (23) at a surface (14) of the object while imparting a relative motion between the object board and the mist to form a film of water on the object surface. As the relative motion is imparted between the board and the first mist (23), a second water mist (32) is injected into a stream (30) of solid CO.sub.2 particles (27) directed at the object surface downstream of the first mist. Water droplets in the second mist in the second mist combine with the CO.sub.2 particles to create carbonic acid that disassociates into charged ions that increase the conductivity of the water film, allowing for increased charge dissipation, thus reducing the incidence of ESD.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface includes providing a cleaning pad made of at least one fibrous layer of a detergent-free material, which also leaves a clear, slick, protective coating, surface cleaning method involves soaking the cleaning pad with water, wiping the surface to be cleaned with the water-soaked pad, and wiping the surface dry with a terry cloth towel after the surface has been wiped with the water-soaked pad. Also, the surface is wetted and wiped with the water-soaked pad and then wiped and dried with the terry cloth towel without exposure to direct sunlight.

Abstract: A method for manually cleaning and disinfecting the post of a pierced-earring which includes moving the post in sliding contact with a pad of porous cellular material that is immersed in disinfecting solution, where the pad and solution are placed in a resealable, fluid-tight container. The disinfectant solution includes chlorhexidine gluconate.

Abstract: A method of cleaning brushes used in post chemical-mechanical polishing of semiconductor wafers employs water blanks treated with a hydrofluoric acid to render the surface hydrophobic. When an undesirable amount of cleaning residue builds up brushes, the treated wafer blanks are passed between brushes to attract and remove the residue.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of removing paint containing heavy metal from a surface without the production of hazardous wastes. Specifically, this method involves applying a coating preparation to the heavy metal containing paint prior to its removal from its surface. The preparation contains lead reactive chemicals such as phosphates, metal sulfides and organic sulfides. The preparation may also contain buffers such as magnesium oxide and magnesium hydroxide. These chemicals react with the heavy metals rendering them nonhazardous. The invention also involves the coating preparation itself.

Abstract: Opposed, conically shaped brushes are utilized to mechanically and chemically removed foreign material from the surfaces of a semiconductor wafer. The brushes are be readily accessed for cleaning and contact a relatively large surface area of the wafer.

Abstract: A process for removing accumulated meltable matter from a pipe includes introducing inside a pipe a cylindrical travelling element or pig made of low density, high elasticity foam. A mixture of reagents which, after a certain period of time will cause a highly exothermic reaction to occur, is introduced inside the pig so that by displacing the pig the meltable deposits within the pipe will melt and will be carried by the pig to a place from which they will be removed together with the pig.

Abstract: A wiping system and method for wiping a windshield is shown. The wiping system comprises frictional material or a wiper material which is applied directly to either a wiper blade or a windshield in at least one reversal area on the windshield where the wiping blade is driven from a first direction to a second direction which is generally opposite that of the first direction. The wiper material is coated or integrally formed as part of the windshield in the reversal areas to facilitate increasing the friction between an edge of the wiper blade and a surface of the windshield which, in turn, facilitates causing the blade to flip from a first wipe side to a second wipe side, thereby reducing or eliminating "chisel chatter" problems of the past.

Abstract: A kit for cleaning a tracking ball and pad of a computer mouse arrangement. The inventive kit includes a container having a tacky liner within which a mouse ball can be positioned and agitated to adhesively remove dirt therefrom. A roller having a tacky exterior coating can be manually reciprocated over a mouse pad to remove dirt therefrom to reduce subsequent fouling of the cleansed tracking ball of the mouse.

Abstract: A shoe attachment device for cleaning marks from smooth surface floors includes an abrasive pad and a fastening mechanism attached thereto for removably fastening the abrasive pad to a shoe bottom. The abrasiveness of the pad being sufficient to remove scuff marks, but not sufficient to mar, remove, or diminish a floor's finish before a mark is completely removed.

Abstract: A method for maximizing electrical contact between contact surfaces, consisting essentially of a volatile cleaning agent and an oxidation occluding agent. The method uses an applicator device for cleaning and protecting electrical contact surfaces utilizing this composition.

Abstract: With a method and apparatus for the percussive cleaning of objects disposed in a chamber that is under process pressure, whereby an elongated percussive element is held below and in contact with the object that is to be cleaned and percussive energy is applied to the percussive element via an accelerated elongated striker, it is provided for a more simple pressure balancing that at least during the acceleration of the striker, the two ends of the striker be maintained at the same pressure, which essentially corresponds to the pressure in the process chamber.

Abstract: A multilayered flexible sheet for absorbing liquids comprises a nonsegmented flexible layer comprised of woven or nonwoven materials having the capacity to absorb liquids and a segmented flexible layer of woven or nonwoven materials having the capacity to absorb liquids being tacked face-to-face to the nonsegmented layer, the segments of the segmented layer being separated by substantially straight boundaries extending across one dimension of the sheet. The multilayered sheet can be easily folded along the boundaries between the segments of the segmented layer and therefore can be used unfolded as walk on mats, wipes, absorbent pads and response pads or folded as pillows or socks for absorbing liquids.