Machines Patents (Class 15/3)
  • Publication number: 20120024318
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a reticle chuck cleaner for cleaning a reticle chuck of an EUV exposure apparatus includes a substrate having a shape to be carried to the reticle chuck of the EUV exposure apparatus, and an adhesive formed on one of the main surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Masamitsu ITOH, Katsuya Okumura, Taro Inada, Jun Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8091168
    Abstract: A handheld vacuum cleaner housing with a frame element forming at least a portion of a handle and extending in a main handle direction. A through hole passes through and is encircled by the frame element, and is configured to receive one or more fingers of an operator. A top casing element is connected to the frame element and covers at least some of a top side of the frame element. A bottom casing element is connected to the frame element and covers at least some of the bottom side of the frame element. The frame element, top casing element and bottom casing element are arranged to form at least part of a vacuum source housing for accommodating at least a part of a vacuum source. A vacuum cleaner having a similar housing, as well as a detachable second housing having a debris compartment and nozzle, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: AB Electrolux
    Inventors: Henrik Holm, Roger Karlsson, Oskar Fjellman
  • Publication number: 20120003906
    Abstract: A device 1 serves for the cleaning and care of mechanical shaving devices 6 having a blade 7 arranged in a head part 9 and a handle 8. The device 1 has two or three processing stations 3, 4, 5 for receiving the head parts 9 of the shaving devices 6. A first processing station 3 serves for cleaning these head parts 9, and a second processing station 4 serves for mechanically processing the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventor: Jan G.C. Messing
  • Publication number: 20120000024
    Abstract: Embodiments of an automated camera cleaning system are provided. In one embodiment, the automated camera cleaning system includes an optical path, an optically-transmissive lens shield through which the optical path extends, a housing in which the optically-transmissive lens shield is at least partially disposed, and a motor coupled to the lens shield. When energized, the motor moves the optically-transmissive lens shield relative to the housing to vary the region of the optically-transmissive lens shield positioned in the optical path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Jacob Kyle Layton
  • Publication number: 20120000021
    Abstract: A surface-cleaning machine with on-board operator, such as a floor washing-drying machine, a floor washing machine, a sweeper, a high-pressure cleaner, a vacuum cleaner, or similar machines including an operators compartment including a footboard that defines a first fixed reference surface, having adjacent to it at least one pedal to control the surface cleaning machine. The footboard includes at least one resting member defining a second resting surface, with the second resting surface being adjustable with respect to the first fixed reference surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: NILFISK-ADVANCE S.P.A.
    Inventor: Andrea Chignoli
  • Publication number: 20120003089
    Abstract: A maintenance apparatus is provided for use with a wind turbine that has a tower, a hub supported by the tower, and a plurality of blades extending outwardly from the hub. The maintenance apparatus has a mounting element that is configured to be secured to the tower and to be selectively movable along the length thereof. A robotic arm is coupled to the mounting element, and a blade-engaging device is coupled to the robotic arm and is configured to engage one of the blades to effect a maintenance task thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Chakradhar Byreddy, Robert Bowyer, Ashish Sareen
  • Patent number: 8087117
    Abstract: A coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller including an elongated core with end mounting features defining a central longitudinal axis of rotation, multiple floor cleaning bristles extending radially outward from the core, and at least one compliant flap extending radially outward from the core to sweep a floor surface. The flap is configured to prevent errant filaments from spooling tightly about the core to aid subsequent removal of the filaments. In another aspect, a coverage robot includes a chassis, a drive system, a controller, and a cleaning assembly. The cleaning assembly includes a housing and at least one driven cleaning roller. The coverage robot includes a roller cleaning tool carried by the chassis and configured to longitudinally traverse the roller to remove accumulated debris from the cleaning roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Deepak Ramesh Kapoor, Zivthan A. Dubrovsky
  • Patent number: 8079105
    Abstract: A cleaning mechanism for cleaning one or both side surfaces of a plastic card substrate prior to a processing operation occurring on the cleaned side surface. The cleaning mechanism is designed so that two cleaning rollers, one cleaning roller on a first cleaning station and one cleaning roller on a second cleaning station, are simultaneously cleaned by a single cleaning tape assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: DataCard Corporation
    Inventors: Milo B. Squires, Timothy J. Flitsch
  • Publication number: 20110297099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for removing manure present on a floor, including a frame, a drive for moving the device over the floor and at least one manure slide which has an upper edge, wherein the manure slide is held by the frame by means of a connection structure, wherein the connection structure includes a first rotational connection with a first substantially horizontal rotational centre line which is located below at least a portion of the upper edge of a manure-pushing wall portion of the manure slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: LELY PATENT N.V.
    Inventors: Roelof Stapel, Karel Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20110271469
    Abstract: An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Andrew Ziegler, Duane Gilbert, Christopher John Morse, Scott Pratt, Paul Sandin, Nancy Dussault, Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 8051861
    Abstract: A cleaning system includes a supply of purified water, a supply of cleaning agent, a mixing junction, and a distributor. The mixing junction is configured to combine a flow of the purified water and a flow of the cleaning agent and output a flow of cleaning liquid comprising the flows of the purified water and the cleaning agent. The distributor includes an output through which the cleaning liquid can be discharged. In a method of cleaning a surface, flows of purified water and cleaning agent are provided. The flow of purified water and the flow of cleaning agent are mixed to form a flow of cleaning liquid. The flow of cleaning liquid is then discharged to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Hans C. Killingstad
  • Publication number: 20110258791
    Abstract: A foaming porous pad suitable for coupling to a hand-held device and for application to human skin includes a porous pad substrate and a foaming composition disposed on the porous pad substrate. The porous pad substrate includes a nonwoven pile fabric having a nonwoven backing layer and a pile comprising individual fibers extending from the backing layer. The nonwoven pile fabric has fibers having a denier of less than about 9. Other aspects of the disclosure include a kit including a foaming porous pad and a motorized handheld device, methods of making the foaming porous pad, and methods of using the foaming porous pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Nikoleta Batchvarova, David Gubernick, Mark Murphy
  • Publication number: 20110239382
    Abstract: A robot cleaner includes wheels mounted at a lower side of a main body of the robot cleaner to allow for traveling of the main body, and wire winding prevention members mounted at the lower side of the main body, each wire winding prevention member having one end extending to be contactable with a rim of the corresponding wheel. The wire winding prevention member is preferably a torsion spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Jeihun LEE, Jeongsuk Yoon, Jongwon Park, Yun Keun Kwak, Jichul Kim, Donghoon Yi, Seungmin Baek
  • Publication number: 20110220150
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus that includes a device carrier that holds a device, a guide plate that guides the device carrier during extraction or retraction, a carrier support that supports the device carrier, and a ramp that supports and guides the carrier support to a cleaning position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Daryl Villa
  • Publication number: 20110167574
    Abstract: A robot configured to navigate a surface, the robot comprising a movement mechanism; a logical map representing data about the surface and associating locations with one or more properties observed during navigation; an initialization module configured to establish an initial pose comprising an initial location and an initial orientation; a region covering module configured to cause the robot to move so as to cover a region; an edge-following module configured to cause the robot to follow unfollowed edges; a control module configured to invoke region covering on a first region defined at least in part based at least part of the initial pose, to invoke region covering on least one additional region, to invoke edge-following, and to invoke region covering cause the mapping module to mark followed edges as followed, and cause a third region covering on regions discovered during edge-following.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: EVOLUTION ROBOTICS, INC.
    Inventors: MICHAEL S. STOUT, Gabriel Francis Brisson, Enrico Di Bernardo, Paolo Pirjanian, Dhiraj Goel, James Philip Case, Michael Dooley
  • Patent number: 7926141
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method of a gutter cleaning system comprises providing a housing configured to fit into a gutter, disposing at least one impeller at an end of the housing, driving the impeller with an impeller drive facility, the impeller drive facility being disposed within the housing, and attaching the housing to a placement facility for guiding the housing along the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Mark R Florence
  • Patent number: 7923065
    Abstract: An image removing method including heating a recording material having thereon an image to a temperature so that the image has a plasticity; pressure-contacting an uppermost stream peeling member with the recording material while the image maintains a plasticity; separating the uppermost stream peeling member from the recording material to transfer at least a portion of the image to the uppermost stream peeling member; and repeating the heating, pressure-contacting and separating steps at least one more time using at least one downstream peeling member, wherein the uppermost stream peeling member has a first outermost layer which does not have a plasticity when being pressure-contacted with the recording material, and at least one of the at least one downstream peeling member has a second outermost layer which has a plasticity when being pressure-contacted with the recording material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventor: Kakuji Murakami
  • Patent number: 7921064
    Abstract: A window processing system is disclosed for fabricating window frames. A welding station has welding heads to weld or fuse vinyl frame parts together. The frames are taken to a cleaning station having a number of cleaning heads that are independently actuated to move into a position relative selected portions of the window frame to clean off burrs, weld beads etc from the welded window frame. The cleaning process involves both training of a controller to recognize certain frame profiles and a compensation process for adjusting the cleaning process for individual variations in the frame that occur during fabrication. Real-time cleaning involves coupling a visual sensor to a moving support that also supports a cleaning tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: GED Integrated Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy B. McGlinchy, James B. Williams, II, Robert R. Shepherd, II, Brady S. Jacot, David F. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7895694
    Abstract: This relates generally to devices used in the removal of excess spray-applied insulation from building components, and more particularly to an improved rotary scrubber that is readily extendable for reaching areas of extended elevation. To facilitate the scrubbing of insulation from areas of extended elevation, one embodiment of the scrubber has an adjustable handle assembly connected to the housing. The adjustable handle assembly preferably comprises a receiver connected to the housing and an extension and a support handle adjustably connected with the receiver. The extension preferably defines an extension handle, with the support handle adjustably connected with the receiver forward of the extension handle when the extension is adjustably connected with the receiver. In other embodiments, the scrubber further comprises at least one extender optionally removably connectable between the scrubber's housing and the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Thomas J. Fellinger
  • Patent number: 7891365
    Abstract: Disclosed are a nozzle cleaning apparatus and a nozzle cleaning method, which are capable of effectively cleaning a nozzle for discharging a process liquid to a substrate, with a simple structure and a low cost. A nozzle 30 is accommodated in a cleaning container 2 having a funnel-shaped portion 2b. A solvent T as a cleaning liquid is supplied along an inner surface of the funnel-shaped portion 2b. The solvent T forms a vortex flow whirling around the nozzle 30. By exposing the nozzle 30 to the vortex flow, the nozzle 30 can be effectively, thoroughly cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Takeshi Hirao, Akihiro Fujimoto, Yasutaka Souma
  • Patent number: 7877835
    Abstract: In a method of cleaning a master disk according to the present invention, a self-adhesive surface sticking/peeling operation is performed on dust on the master disk by reciprocatingly oscillating the self-adhesive member while applying external forces in a plurality of directions. Dust on the master disk can be effectively removed by moving the self-adhesive member in this way and by using the adhesion of the self-adhesive member. Since the cleaning method according to the present invention is a removal method using a physical force, it has both the effect of removing organic materials and the effect of removing inorganic materials. Further, according to the present invention, the master disk to be cleaned can be cleaned in a state of being mounted on a disk holding member such as a holder. Therefore an apparatus of a comparatively simple construction can be applied in on-line form according to the cleaning method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichiro Okada
  • Publication number: 20100306932
    Abstract: A device (1) comprises at least a body (2) and a bumper (6) which is movably attached to the body so as to protect the body from shock caused by collision with an obstacle during movement of the device across a surface. The bumper is attached to the body by means of at least one spring (9) extending in a direction which is at least substantially perpendicular to the direction into which the bumper is movable with respect to the body. Furthermore,a robot cleaner comprising such a device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Ronald Maarten Schneider, Jan Willem Bruggers, Robertus Mathijs Gerardus Rijs, Jeroen Dekkers
  • Publication number: 20100299853
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular a high-pressure cleaning apparatus, on which at least one fastening device for fastening the cleaning apparatus to a carrier is disposed, with the at least one fastening device comprising at least one tensioning section on which a tensile force, which is directed at the carrier, acts when the cleaning apparatus is fastened to the carrier by means of a tensioning element, and also comprising at least one retaining section, which is connected to the at least one tensioning section, for retaining the at least one fastening device on the cleaning apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Kelle, Ralph Seitter
  • Patent number: 7841034
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle drawn device for cleaning a fence line. The fence cleaner includes a movable main frame with an attached rotating vertical tube broom which tube broom bristles come into contact with the fence line to remove dead and dried out vegetation which has become affixed to the fence line. The tube broom is capable of being tilted for better access to a fence line. Once the vegetation is removed from the fence line by the tube broom, the tube broom rotates the dead and dried out vegetation to a rotating clean off assembly. The clean off assembly extends parallel to the tube broom and contains a plurality of protruding teeth. The protruding teeth remove the dead and dried out vegetation from the rotating tube broom and force the vegetation into a chopper drum. A rotating horizontal feed accelerator continuously pushes the vegetation into the drum to avoid a buildup of vegetation. Upon entering the drum, a plurality of chopping blades cut the dead and dried out vegetation into small sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Stelter
  • Publication number: 20100293739
    Abstract: An objective is to provide an automatic cleaning device for machine tool in which cleaning efficiency is improved by performing cleaning for a large range during machining. To achieve this, an air nozzle (21) that removes, by air-blowing, chips (Wa) and cutting oil (C) dispersed while a workpiece is being machined to an outside of the machine is allowed to move not only independently from a movement of a spindle head (16), but also relatively to a workpiece (W) in directions of three orthogonal axes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Imamura, Shunsuke Kubo
  • Publication number: 20100252077
    Abstract: A paint roller cleaner comprises a rod removably receivable by a motorized drill. A fork extends from the rod and is configured for removable insertion into one end of a paint roller. High speed rotary motion can be imparted to the paint roller so that any paint and foreign matter present on the paint roller is quickly removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel E. Muraske
  • Publication number: 20100236018
    Abstract: A cleaning appliance is capable of performing two or more cleaning functions. The cleaning appliance may include a vacuum cleaner and a steam cleaner such that a user can vacuum a floor prior to steam cleaning the floor. Various manual switching arrangements may be used as part of controlling the cleaning appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Euro-Pro Operating, LLC
    Inventors: Ognjen Vrdoljak, Oliver Rudolph Breit, Maximilian Rosenzweig, Aviva Rosenzweig
  • Publication number: 20100229333
    Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus may comprise a surface cleaning head having a dirt inlet and an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning head. The upright section may comprise an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower upper portion may be rotatable relative to the lower portion about an axis that intersects a longitudinal axis of at least one of the upper and lower portions. The upright surface cleaning apparatus may also comprise a wheel provided on the upright section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: G.B.D. CORP.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Publication number: 20100218323
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floor-cleaning appliance having a housing, on the underside of which is disposed at least one floor-cleaning tool adapted to be driven in rotation or oscillation, wherein the floor-cleaning appliance, for the purpose of cleaning a floor surface, can be guided manually by the user in an operating direction along the floor surface. In order to develop the floor-cleaning appliance such that it can be transported in a simple manner, it is proposed according to the invention that the floor-cleaning appliance has transporting wheels which are adapted to be rotatably fixed by the user, for the purpose of transporting the floor-cleaning appliance, on wheel bearings disposed on the side of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Alfred Kaercher GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Juergen Merz, Melanie Beer
  • Publication number: 20100202912
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotation body having one or more rotary shafts having projections, and a cleaning part disposed adjacent to the projections, having one or more rotation holes into which the one or more rotary shafts are inserted, respectively, and configured to flow a cleaning material into the one or more rotation holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Tea Jin Park
  • Publication number: 20100192314
    Abstract: One aspect according to the present invention includes a handy cleaner including a cleaner body and a battery pack. The battery pack serves as a power source and includes a lithium-ion battery. The battery pack can be mounted to and removed from a cleaner body without need of operating a cover or the like mounted to the cleaner body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi OTSUKA, Hitoshi SUZUKI, Shinsuke OKUDA
  • Publication number: 20100132137
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a blade maintenance vehicle. The blade maintenance vehicle includes a self-contained balance configured to stabilize the blade maintenance vehicle on an upwardly facing edge of a horizontally positioned wind turbine blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Eric Eggleston
  • Patent number: 7716772
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus comprises a housing, a driving mechanism and a plurality of cleaning elements. The driving mechanism is disposed in the housing. The cleaning elements are connected to the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism rotates the cleaning elements to clean the emitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Jui-Pin Shih, Yi-Ming Lin, Chih-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20100115716
    Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: IROBOT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel Ozick
  • Publication number: 20100011522
    Abstract: An apparatus that visually inspects a state of sludge and a foreign substance between steam generator bundles positioned at an upper part of a tube sheet of a second side of a steam generator of a nuclear power plant (Korean standard type) using a visual inspector mounted in a robot moving on an inner wall surface of the steam generator and that removes a foreign substance with a foreign substance remover when the foreign substance is found are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Gyung-Sub KIM, Sang-Hoon CHOI, Dong-Il KIM
  • Publication number: 20090307855
    Abstract: A wringable mop includes a transmission unit mounted with a driven cap at the bottom side of an actuating sleeve that is rotatable and axially movable relative to the handle unit, a cleaning body connected between the handle unit and the driven cap, and a positioning unit controlling rotation and axial movement of the actuating sleeve relative to the handle unit. When the positioning unit controls one-way rotation of the actuating sleeve relative to the handle unit, the handle unit and the actuating sleeve are rotated relative to each other to cause rotation of the driven cap relative to the handle unit, and therefore the cleaning body is twisted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Ta-Chun Kao
  • Publication number: 20090293211
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental cleaning device having, in combination, a toothbrush and a gas detecting system. The tooth brush has a brush portion and a handle portion. The brush portion of the toothbrush has dental cleaning devices allowing the user to clean teeth. The odor detection system is integrated into the toothbrush and generally comprises a gas sensor indicator for indicating presence of predetermined gas. The system allows the user to brush their teeth and either simultaneously or at differing times, detect any odors associated with bad breath. The device further allows the user a mechanism to know when bad breath causing odors are eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Marc Spungin
  • Publication number: 20090277476
    Abstract: A cleaning device (10) incorporates drive means (14) and cleaning means (20), wherein the drive means (14) are operable to drive the cleaning means (20) across a surface to be cleaned, and wherein the drive means (14) are operable to adopt first and second driving modes, the first driving mode being a travelling mode and the second driving mode being a turning mode, wherein locking means (40, 42) of the drive means (14) allow selection between the first and second driving modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: RECKITT BENCKISER (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Geoffrey Robert HAMMOND, Lawrence T. LEVINE, Lamson NGUYEN
  • Patent number: 7599758
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing, a height adjust mechanism disposed on the housing and a height adjust motor, disposed within said housing that controls a height of the height adjust mechanism. A position element is mounted to said housing. A sensor processor, mounted to said housing, is in communication with the position element to provide a signal that relates to a position of the height adjust mechanism based at least in part upon data received from the position element. A controller processor, mounted to said housing, is in communication with the sensor processor for selectively controlling a height of the height adjust mechanism relative to a subjacent surface on which the vacuum cleaner is positioned. A height adjust mechanism height motor controller is in communication with the controller processor, for driving the height adjust motor to locate the height adjust mechanism in an appropriate position relative to the subjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Royal Appliance Mfg. Co.
    Inventors: Mark E. Reindle, Norman Siegel
  • Publication number: 20090180086
    Abstract: The present inventive concept provides a substrate treating apparatus and an exposing apparatus that a chuck member, a chuck cleaning member including a cleaning tool removing a foreign substance on a substrate loading surface of the chuck member and a tool cleaning member cleaning a cleaning tool are disposed to be adjacent to each other inside a treating room. The present inventive concept also provides a method of cleaning a cleaning tool using a tool cleaning member. According to the above the apparatuses and the method, contamination of a chuck member by a cleaning tool is prevented and a defocus phenomenon caused by a particle on a chuck member during an exposing process can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-A Ryu, Jeong-Heung Kong, Yang-Koo Lee, Hun-Hwan Ha, Yo-Han Ahn, Hweon Jin, Myung-Ki Lee
  • Publication number: 20090145993
    Abstract: A rotating apparatus for a winding reel of a high-pressure cleaner, comprising a rotating wheel with a slideway, a slider and a handle mounted on the slider, said slider slides in the slideway, the slider has a first working position that fixes the entire slider in the rotating wheel and a second working position that makes the slider partly in the rotating wheel. When the slider is at the second working position, the arm of force is increased without occupying more space. During no-use, the rotating is placed in the concave. Comparing with the existing rotating apparatus, said rotating apparatus is foldable, occupies less space, makes the whole body of the cleaner beautiful and simply with convenient operation, and suitable for popularizing in the high-pressure cleaner or similar apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Zugen Ni
  • Publication number: 20090139040
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cleaning test probes used in a semiconductor testing machine of the type having a plurality of test probes configured to contact the surface of a semiconductor wafer to test one or more dies formed thereon. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a roller-support arm and a cylindrical roller supported by the roller-support arm. The roller has an outer surface comprising a sticky material. Debris on the probes will adhere to the sticky material as roller is rolled across tips of the probes. The probes are thereby cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Gary W. Grube
  • Patent number: 7534302
    Abstract: Provided is a method of cleaning a flexible substrate. The method includes the steps of: preparing a flexible substrate and detaching an impurity adhered to both surfaces of the flexible substrate using rotating first rollers disposed on the both surfaces of the flexible substrate; and removing the impurity by transferring the impurity from the first roller to a second roller using the rotating second roller having a relatively higher adhesion than the first roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Gi Heon Kim, Kyung Soo Suh, Kyu Ha Baek, In Kyu You, Seung Youl Kang, Seong Deok Ahn, Chul Am Kim
  • Publication number: 20090100615
    Abstract: An apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Ryan A. Schemmel, Christopher Murray, Mark Stratford, Benjamin J. Strutt, Patrick Marcil
  • Publication number: 20090094784
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning or otherwise treating a floored surface that includes a platform adapted to support the weight of an operator. In addition, one embodiment of the present invention is capable of generally performing 360° turns to facilitate the treatment of difficult to access portions of the floored surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: KARCHER FLOOR CARE, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Pedlar, Brian J. Doll, Rusty Simmon, Nevin Green, Daniel Pearson, Loi X. Tran, Robert S. Gorsky, Eric L. Shark, Daniel C. Venard
  • Publication number: 20090083915
    Abstract: A plumbers snake with a hollow outer body and an inner core which floats within the outer body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Dennis Cicchelli, Warren Giesin
  • Publication number: 20090056042
    Abstract: A cleaning tool, which includes a power unit having a gas powered engine with a carburetor and fuel servo, and a nozzle unit operatively coupled with the power unit, the nozzle unit including a throttle controller. The gas cleaning tool includes a control circuit which adjusts the amount of fuel flowing through the carburetor in response to a wireless signal provided in response to adjusting the throttle controller. The gas control circuit includes a microcontroller in communication with the throttle controller and fuel servo, the microcontroller being hermetically sealed within a housing of the power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Daniel Pena
  • Publication number: 20090038090
    Abstract: A hand-held electrical conductor cleaning apparatus including a frame having a handle section and a tube section; an abrasive member movably mounted in the tube section; a motor adapted to move the abrasive member inside the tube section; a battery connected to the motor; and a user control for actuating the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Alan D. Beck, John D. Lefavour
  • Publication number: 20090038089
    Abstract: A piezoelectric debris sensor and associated signal processor responsive to debris strikes enable an autonomous or non-autonomous cleaning device to detect the presence of debris and in response, to select a behavioral mode, operational condition or pattern of movement, such as spot coverage or the like. Multiple sensor channels (e.g., left and right) can be used to enable the detection or generation of differential left/right debris signals and thereby enable an autonomous device to steer in the direction of debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg W. Landry, David A. Cohen, Daniel Ozick
  • Patent number: 7458123
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for cleaning test probes used in a semiconductor testing machine of the type having a plurality of test probes configured to contact the surface of a semiconductor wafer to test one or more dies formed thereon. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a roller-support arm and a cylindrical roller supported by the roller-support arm. The roller has an outer surface comprising a sticky material. Debris on the probes will adhere to the sticky material as roller is rolled across tips of the probes. The probes are thereby cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Grube