With Movable Means To Cause Fluid Motion Patents (Class 134/89)
  • Patent number: 10588477
    Abstract: A batch dishwasher is realized as a hood-type dishwasher having a treatment chamber (2) with at least one recirculating wash system for spraying wash liquid in the treatment chamber (2), and has at least one final rinse system for spraying final rinse liquid in the treatment chamber (2). The treatment chamber (2) has a first treatment zone (6) and at least one further, second treatment zone (7), wherein items of washware can be treated independently of one another and at least temporarily at the same time in the first and in the at least one second treatment zone (6, 7). The two treatment zones (6, 7) are physically separated from one another by a partition (50) such that when wash liquid is sprayed in one of the two treatment zones (6, 7), recontamination in the other treatment zone (7, 6) is effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOLS WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Harald Disch, Adrian Boldt
  • Patent number: 10548455
    Abstract: A dishwasher in the form of a commercial utensil washer or dishwasher which is designed as a batch dishwasher and is realized as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher has a treatment chamber with at least one wash system which is designed as a recirculation system, wherein the treatment chamber has a first treatment zone and at least one further, second treatment zone, wherein items of washware can be treated independently of one another and at least temporarily at the same time in the first and in the at least one second treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Harald Disch, Martin Schrempp
  • Patent number: 10548454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dishwasher in the form of a commercial utensil washer or dishwasher which is designed as a batch dishwasher and is realized as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher has a treatment chamber with at least one wash system which is designed as a recirculation system, wherein the treatment chamber has a first treatment zone and at least one further, second treatment zone, wherein items of washware can be treated independently of one another and at least temporarily at the same time in the first and in the at least one second treatment zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Dietrich Berner, Harald Disch, Martin Schrempp
  • Patent number: 9283726
    Abstract: A method of forming a wind turbine component, the method including forming a segment (10, 12) by impregnating a portion (18, 20) of a fiber reinforcement (50) with a thermoset resin (60) up to a boundary (56), curing the thermoset resin, and leaving unimpregnated fiber reinforcement (22) extending from the boundary. The component may then be assembled by impregnating and joining the unimpregnated fiber reinforcement of two such segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: John M. Obrecht, Luis A. Mailly
  • Patent number: 8453655
    Abstract: Inside a single apparatus main body (100), a surface treatment apparatus includes: a treatment cell (11); a vertical rotation shaft (12); an attachment/detachment device; a receiving tank (15); a cover body (16); a plurality of tanks (21); a plurality of surface treatment liquid supply devices (22); a cleaning water supply device; a drain device (3); and a first cleaning device. Upon operation of the surface treatment liquid supply device while the treatment cell (11) containing small objects is rotated by the vertical rotation shaft (12), a surface treatment is carried out on the small objects, upon operation of the cleaning water supply device, the small objects inside the treatment cell (11) are cleaned, and upon operation of the first cleaning device, the inner face of the cover body and the outer face of the treatment cell are cleaned, thus providing circulation use of surface treatment liquids in the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Sugiura, Ryosuke Hamada, Tetsuro Uemura, Hideki Nakada
  • Patent number: 8297291
    Abstract: A combination parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has two reservoirs. A parts receptacle in the one of the reservoirs receives the parts which are cleaned by ultrasonic waves. An operable sink for manual cleaning is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the cabinet and reservoir. Fluid from the sink drains to the first reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush supplied by fluid from the first reservoir. Initial pre-cleaning may be performed in the sink using the brush. Subsequent precision cleaning may be accomplished by immersion and ultrasonic cleaning in the second reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald H. Bluestone, Ryan J. Bluestone
  • Patent number: 7992580
    Abstract: A combination parts washer for cleaning mechanical parts of oil, grease and contaminants. The washer has a cabinet which has two reservoirs. A parts receptacle in the one of the reservoirs receives the parts which are cleaned by ultrasonic waves. An operable sink for manual cleaning is positioned on the top of the cabinet and opens to access the cabinet and reservoir. Fluid from the sink drains to the first reservoir. In the closed position, the sink covers the top of the cabinet and may be used as a sink washer using the attached brush supplied by fluid from the first reservoir. Initial pre-cleaning may be performed in the sink using the brush. Subsequent precision cleaning may be accomplished by immersion and ultrasonic cleaning in the second reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald H. Bluestone, Ryan J. Bluestone
  • Publication number: 20090173365
    Abstract: A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and having first and second opposed ends and a sidewall extending between the first and second ends. The first end is provided with a fluid inlet and the second end is provided with a dirt outlet. The dirt outlet provides a lateral outlet to a dirt collection chamber in communication with the cyclone chamber via the dirt outlet. The dirt outlet is positioned from about 90 to about 330° around the cyclone casing in a flow direction from the fluid inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20080163900
    Abstract: A method and system for cleaning a batch of substrates is provided. The system includes a first cluster of vertical processing chambers, an IPA reservoir, and an IPA delivery system in fluid communication with the IPA reservoir and the first cluster of vertical processing chambers, wherein the IPA delivery system is adapted to transfer IPA vapor between the IPA reservoir and the first cluster of vertical processing chambers. In certain embodiments, the system further comprises a first main circulation tank, a second main circulation tank, a reservoir-cluster recirculation circuit in fluid communication with the first main circulation tank and the second main circulation tank and with each processing chamber in the first cluster of vertical processing chambers, and a dosing circuit comprising a plurality of additive sources in fluid communication with the first main circulation tank and the second main circulation tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: DOUGLAS RICHARDS, Evanson G. Baiya, John J. Rosato, Madhava Rao Yalamanchili
  • Patent number: 7328712
    Abstract: Described are cleaning benches and methods for removing contaminant layers from semiconductor process components using small volumes of hazardous liquids and minimizing cross-contamination between components from different deposition chambers. Components to be cleaned are stored within or supported by a dedicated cassette before they are placed in a receptacle of cleaning liquid. The cassette displaces a significant percentage of the receptacle's volume; consequently, only a relatively small volume of cleaning liquid is needed to fully submerge the component. In typical embodiments, the combined cassette and component displace a volume of liquid that is greater than the volume of liquid used to clean the component. The cleaning bench can include different chemical baths for different components. Cassettes dedicated for use with particular components can be keyed to particular receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Quantum Global Technologies
    Inventors: Dwight J. Zuck, David S. Zuck
  • Patent number: 7267128
    Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus for treating substrates includes a treating tank for receiving and treating the substrates, a holding device movable, while holding the substrates in a cantilever mode, between a treating position in the treating tank and a transfer position above the treating tank, a transport device for supporting the substrates and transferring the substrates to and from the holding device in the transfer position, a detecting device for detecting a posture variation of the holding device, and a correcting device for correcting a position of the holding device or the transport device. The correcting device performs a correction according to the posture variation of the holding device detected by the detecting device in time of transfer of the substrates between the holding device and the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Hiroe, Koji Hasegawa, Ichiro Mitsuyoshi, Yoshihiro Nishina
  • Patent number: 6926016
    Abstract: Described are cleaning methods and apparatus that minimize the volume of hazardous materials used and created when cleaning components, and further to minimize the possibility of cross-contamination between components from different deposition chambers. Components to be cleaned are stored within or supported by a dedicated cassette before they are placed in a receptacle of cleaning liquid. The cassette displaces a significant percentage of the receptacle's volume; consequently, only a relatively small volume of cleaning liquid is needed to fully submerge the component. In typical embodiments, the combined cassette and component displace a volume of liquid that is greater-than the volume of liquid used to clean the component. One embodiment of the invention reduces the requisite volume of cleaning solution using a number of liquid-displacing elements (e.g., balls) contained within a cleaning receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Quantum Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dwight J. Zuck, David S. Zuck
  • Patent number: 6832618
    Abstract: The dining table comprises a table structure having one or more openings adapted to receive in a snug fit either a dining tray or a pair of operatively associated access covers, which in either case fill the opening. An inner one of the access covers is connected to the table structure by a hinge and an outer one of the access covers is suspended by a lever and latching arrangement. In a raised position, the covers abut each other and provide a substantially smooth dining surface. In a lower position, the covers are stored below the dining tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Inventor: Harold F. DeHart
  • Publication number: 20040182428
    Abstract: A Contact Lens Cleaning and Storage Device with left and right side cleaning reservoirs that, independent of each other, receives a quantity of clean solution and contact lenses, having agitating bosses, circular stops and drive system links on one quadrant, a drive system, a motor to operate the drive system, a bottom housing having holders to accommodate the cleaning reservoirs and motor, a top housing having circular cut outs to allow the top portion of the cleaning reservoirs to protrude, an on/off switch, a way to supply power to the motor, and caps for the cleaning reservoirs to prevent the cleaning solution from splashing out. A preferred embodiment includes the cleaning reservoir agitating bosses having the front side curved and the backside flat and a drive system comprising a drive arm and a drive cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Philip Chepurny
  • Publication number: 20040173250
    Abstract: The dining table comprises a table structure having one or more openings adapted to receive in a snug fit either a dining tray or a pair of operatively associated access covers, which in either case fill the opening. An inner one of the access covers is connected to the table structure by a hinge and an outer one of the access covers is suspended by a lever and latching arrangement. In a raised position, the covers abut each other and provide a substantially smooth dining surface. In a lower position, the covers are stored below the dining tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventor: Harold F. DeHart
  • Patent number: 6774056
    Abstract: A process system for processing a semiconductor wafer or other similar flat workpiece has a head including a workpiece holder. A motor in the head spins the workpiece. A head lifter lowers the head to move the workpiece into a bath of liquid in a bowl. Sonic energy is introduced into the liquid and travels through the liquid to the workpiece, to assist in processing. The head is lifted to bring the workpiece to a rinse position. The bath liquid is drained. The workpiece is rinsed via radial spray nozzles in the base. The head is lifted to a dry position. A reciprocating swing arm sprays a drying fluid onto the bottom surface of the spinning wafer, to dry the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Kuntz, Steven Peace, Ed Derks, Brian Aegerter
  • Publication number: 20040079387
    Abstract: [Object] To reduce the amounts of cleaning liquids and rinse liquid used, as well as the energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Mori
  • Patent number: 6640818
    Abstract: A refrigerated automatic fruit and vegetable washer that washes fruits and/or vegetables and stores them in a cool environment after they have been washed. A portable self-contained embodiment has a cabinet that sits on a countertop and contains a water spray system and a thermoelectric cooling system and sits on a kitchen countertop and has water inlet and drain hoses releasably connected to the sink faucet. Another self-contained embodiment fits into a lower storage compartment of a refrigerator and can be removed and placed on the countertop for the washing operation. A built-in cabinet embodiment is permanently installed in the kitchen. A wash-only embodiment is slidably received in the lower portion of a refrigerator in place of the existing vegetable crisper to be cooled by the refrigerator cooling system and is removed therefrom and placed on a countertop for the washing operation. The fruit and vegetable washer may also be built into a refrigerator as an integral component of the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Rueben Talisman
  • Patent number: 6491049
    Abstract: A drawer dishwasher includes a drawer which is movable from a closed to an open position. A lid is separate from the drawer and is adapted to seal over the top of the drawer when the drawer is in its closed position and to move upwardly and away from the drawer in response to movement of the drawer from its closed to its open position. Recirculation plumbing and draining plumbing are connected to the drawer dishwasher and lead to a remote pump and reservoir for receiving drained fluid from the drawer and for recirculating drained fluid back into the spray assembly within the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Barry E. Tuller, Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 6435199
    Abstract: In an apparatus for treating semiconductor wafers, a plurality of chemical treatment tanks 21a to 21c filled with treatment liquids for processing semiconductor wafers W and a plurality of rinse treatment tanks 22a to 22c filled with rinse liquids for rinsing the semiconductor wafers W are disposed in a direction across the direction of conveyance of a wafer holder conveyor carriage 5, such as a direction perpendicular thereto. A transportation device provided with a wafer boat 14 is disposed at a position in the vicinity of the chemical treatment tanks 21a to 21c and the rinse treatment tanks 22a to 22c, to transfer the wafers W to and from the wafer holder conveyor carriage 5 and also transport the thus transferred wafers W to the chemical treatment tanks 21a to 21c and the rinse treatment tanks 22a to 22c. This configuration makes it possible to reduce the size of the treatment apparatus and also improve the processing efficiency thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Yuji Kamikawa
  • Patent number: 6234002
    Abstract: Automated apparatus and method to aid in the servicing of fuel injectors is adapted to be selectively operated in a test mode or a cleaning mode. The test mode senses flow rate through the injector and current draw of the injector solenoid, and provides the operator with visual indication and a printed record of the data. The cleaning mode begins with a testing sequence to record baseline flow and current draw data, cycles through predetermined cleaning steps including flowing a cleaning agent through the injector, checks the flow rate and current draw of the injector during and after the cleaning cycle, and repeats the testing sequence. This testing-cleaning cycle may be repeated until either the injector meets predefined performance criteria or until a pre-selected limit has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventors: David W. Sisney, Paul E. Stauffer
  • Patent number: 6090213
    Abstract: An automated cleaning system for parts is disclosed. The parts to be cleaned are elongated tubes closed on one end which are mounted upside down on nozzles on a fixture. The fixture is placed in a wash tank where cleaning fluid is forced through the nozzles and into the insides of the parts. Ultrasonic techniques are also employed to assist in the cleaning. The fixture is moved to the next tank where rinse fluid is forced through nozzles. Again, ultrasonic techniques are used in the rinse tank. The fixture is placed in the drying tank where heated air is circulated into the tank while a vacuum is applied to the nozzles to draw out the heated air through the nozzles. Humidity from ambient air is isolated by virtue of the heated inlet air to the drying tank and an operable lid on the dry tank. Numerous parts can be processed at once in an automatic system which provides an improved technique for cleaning the parts while shortening the cycle time for the entire process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Inventor: Lee Moyers
  • Patent number: 5954070
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided portable fluid application and rinse apparatus for applying a first fluid and for rinsing with a second fluid. A first storage reservoir retains the first fluid and has an outlet. A first application conduit communicates with the outlet of the first storage reservoir. The first application conduit receives the first fluid from the outlet of the first storage reservoir and dispenses the first fluid therethrough. A first drain pan receives the first fluid. A second storage reservoir retains the second fluid and has an inlet and an outlet. A second application conduit communicates with the outlet of the second storage reservoir. The second application conduit receives the second fluid from the outlet of the second storage reservoir and dispenses the second fluid therethrough. A concentration measuring device measures the concentration of the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Glen Silva Abad, Ralph Edward Jaffke, Thomas William Jaeger, Brian McDonnell, Rick A. Osterman
  • Patent number: 5931174
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in removing oil containing contaminants from articles includes a wash station and a rinse station. At the wash station, the articles are immersed in a tank of wash water containing detergent to remove oil containing contaminants from the articles. A flow of wash water containing the detergent and oil is conducted through an oil retainer. The oil is removed from the wash water and retained by the oil retainer. A flow of wash water which contains detergent and is substantially free of oil, is conducted from the oil retainer apparatus back to the wash tank. After having been removed from the wash tank, the articles are immersed in deionized rinse water in a rinse tank to remove detergent and any remaining oil containing contaminants from the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Salas, Steve Rush
  • Patent number: 5927302
    Abstract: A plate-shaped article is immersed in a cleaning liquid filling a cleaning bath having an overflowing surface through which the cleaning liquid flows out, and is rinsed out. In the cleaning bath, streams mostly being directed away from a predetermined plane approximately perpendicular to the overflowing surface are formed. The plate-shaped article is then brought into the cleaning liquid having the stream maintaining a state where the plate-shaped article intersects the predetermined plane and the surfaces of the plate-shaped article are in approximately parallel to the streams mostly being directed away from the predetermined plane on the surface of the cleaning liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yuka Hayami, Masanori Kobayashi, Ken Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 5873946
    Abstract: An installation for lubricating, cleaning and/or disinfecting conveyor belts for containers, more particularly for foods, such as bottles, glasses, cans, bags and the like, comprising a central metering station connectable to a water pipe used to dilute a concentrated lubricant, cleaner or disinfectant, and several distributing pipes connected to the metering station lead to the points of use. At each point of use there is a mixing valve (13-19) connectable to distribution line (52) and the water pipe (23) and individually adjustable for each point of use and a pressure reducer (50, 51) fitted upstream of each mixing valve. Varying concentration can be provided for each point of use (31-37) with little technical complexity. In another embodiment, the invention is the process carried out by the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. Ohg
    Inventor: Bernhard Hantmann
  • Patent number: 5845661
    Abstract: A parts washer for removing cutting oil from machined parts includes two open compartments separated by a common heat-conducting wall. A single heater in one compartment heats washing solution in both compartments. The back of the washer has a stepped configuration to protect components from injury while the washer is on the shop floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: R. H. Sheppard Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Allen W. Leppo
  • Patent number: 5699726
    Abstract: The invention relates to a soaking system for solids. The system includes stacked tanks each of which has a conical bottom. The tanks are connected through perforated valves through which the solids move from the top and water is fed from the bottom. The solids are soaked in a counterflowing water. In one embodiment, two or more similar units are stacked one upon the other for more efficient operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Rajendra P. Gupta
  • Patent number: 5066336
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning delivery probes used for dispensing protein-containing reagents. The apparatus includes: a bath of a cleaning solution for a protein-containing reagent; a device for lowering the probe into the cleaning solution for aspirating cleaning solution into the probe and for coating the outside of the probe; a device for raising the probe from the cleaning solution; a device for forcing primer liquid through the probe for expelling aspirated cleaning solution followed by primer liquid from the probe for washing the inside of the probe; and a device for deflecting cleaning solution and primer liquid expelled from the probe onto the outside of the probe for washing the outside of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Akzo N.V.
    Inventors: Julie F. Hoffman, Lionel D. Jones, II
  • Patent number: 4967776
    Abstract: An oil filter cleaning system includes a piercing apparatus for cutting openings in a used oil filter to allow drainage of excess dirty oil therefrom. A rinsing and cleansing mechanism is provided atop a chamber containing liquid solvent and includes one or more nozzles upon which the original bottom opening of drained oil filters are mounted following which, a pump is actuated to inject solvent into the filters and which is expelled from the pierced openings. Thereafter, pressurized air is injected into the filters from the same nozzles to remove all residual solvent and oil therefrom. Separate piercing and rinsing and cleansing stations may be provided for treating one filter at a time or alternatively, these stations may be combined into one station operable to simultaneously treat a plurality of filters. In the latter instance, it is proposed to include a sorting device to facilitate the accumulation of several filters having the same diameter in order to accommodate a gang piercing mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Gordon Folmar
  • Patent number: 4789405
    Abstract: Cleaning, activating and metallizing of bore holes in conductor boards is performed by supplying a liquid treatment medium in form a standing wave onto a lower side of the conductor board by a surge line which is formed as a nozzle arranged under a transporting path and substantially normal to a transporting direction of the horizontally guided conductor board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Schering Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Blasing, Walter Meyer
  • Patent number: 4709714
    Abstract: An apparatus for exposing the fibrous reinforcements of a fiber reinforced resin body comprises at least one stage in which a portion of the resin body is brought into contact with a heated resin removing liquid while the resin body is vibrated. According to this apparatus subsequent processing of the resin body, e.g., connecting to another similarly treated resin body, can be advantageously conducted by utilizing the exposed fibrous reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi Zosen Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nishino, Masahiko Yamamoto, Tadayoshi Uda, Kiyoshi Kondo, Yutaka Kondo, Kazuo Kondo