Sheet, Bar, And Plate Cleaners Patents (Class 15/77)
  • Patent number: 8828149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of fabricating a thin film transistor array substrate. The apparatus includes a dip strip part for stripping a photo-resist pattern and a thin film formed on a substrate by using a stripper; a removing part for removing residual photo-resist and thin film from the substrate; and a jet strip part for jetting the stripper to remove residual particles of photo-resist and thin film left on the substrate. The method of fabricating includes dipping a substrate in a stripper, wherein the substrate has a photo-resist pattern and a thin film, the thin film being formed on an entire surface of the substrate so as to cover the photo-resist pattern; removing residual photo-resist and thin film using the stripper; and removing particles of residual photo-resist and thin film left on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Oh Nam Kwon, Heung Lyul Cho
  • Patent number: 8813293
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a processing surface of a cylindrical roller disposed in a brush box is described. In one embodiment, a brush box is described. The brush box includes a tank having an interior volume and a pair of cylindrical rollers at least partially disposed in the interior volume, each of the cylindrical rollers being rotatable about a respective axis, an actuator assembly coupled to each of the cylindrical rollers to move the respective cylindrical roller between a first position where the cylindrical rollers are in proximity and a second position where the cylindrical rollers are spaced away from each other, and a conditioning device for each of the cylindrical rollers, each conditioning device including a conditioner disposed in the interior volume, the conditioner contacting an outer surface of each of the cylindrical rollers when the rollers are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sen-Hou Ko, Lakshmanan Karuppiah
  • Patent number: 8795439
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning contaminants from a construction mat is described including a washing chamber and an automated conveyor assembly translating the construction mat into and out of the washing chamber. The washing chamber includes a plurality of elongated tines adapted to scrape debris from the was mat and a spray system direction cleansing liquid under pressure at the mat, and a closed loop water reclamation system for filtering and recycling cleansing liquid for reusing the spray system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Beasley IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Craig D. Vernon, Dan Petras
  • Patent number: 8778087
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a substrate is provided. In one aspect, the cleaning device includes a brush including a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, an outer surface, and a hollow bore defined in the brush about a central axis of the brush. The brush defines a first cross-sectional area near the first end and a second cross-sectional area near the second end. Both the first and second cross-sectional areas are generally perpendicular to the central axis and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Tyrrell, Bradley S. Withers
  • Publication number: 20140165314
    Abstract: An improved dry cleaning system for cleaning used layer pads comprising a pallet in-feed assembly, a dry cleaning assembly, and an out-feed station, said dry cleaning assembly having a vision inspection system mounted to a conveyor for taking image/information of upper and lower surfaces of the cleaned layer pad exiting a cleaning station and a programmable means for assessing the image/info against predetermined acceptable cleaning criteria, wherein when these criteria are satisfied the programmable means actuates a guide means to direct the layer pad to a designated receptable for collection and re-use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventor: Gary Tempany
  • Patent number: 8752228
    Abstract: Silicon wafers and the like are cleaned using new scrubber-type apparatus in which measures are taken to compensate for differential cleaning of the central region of the wafer by: using rotary brushes having one or more non-contact portions arranged in the section thereof that faces the central region of the substrate, or toggling the relative position of the wafer and the rotary brushes, or directing cleaning fluid(s) preferentially towards the central region of the wafer. Another aspect of the invention provides scrubber-type cleaning apparatus in which the rotary brushes are replaced by rollers (110). A web of cleaning material (116) is interposed between each roller and the substrate. Various different webs of cleaning material may be used, e.g. a length of tissue, a continuous loop of cleaning material whose surface is reconditioned on each cleaning pass, adhesive material provided on a carrier tape, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Janos Farkas, Srdjan Kordic, Sebastien Petitdidier, Kevin E Cooper, Jan Van Hassel
  • Patent number: 8719993
    Abstract: Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Hermes-Epitek Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Huang, Tsan-Hua Huang, Tsung-Hsun Han
  • Publication number: 20140102478
    Abstract: The invention describes a system for cleaning sheet- or plate-like objects (10), in particular for cleaning electrodes and/or separators for constructing an electrochemical energy storage means or cleaning parts of such electrodes or separators, wherein the sheet- or plate-like objects (10) have a first object side (11) and a second object side (12), which is situated opposite the first object side, and at least one side surface which connects the first object side (11) and the second object side (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventors: Claus-Rupert Hohenthanner, Steffen Legner
  • Patent number: 8695145
    Abstract: Transferring plural semiconductor substrates under a state being held with predetermined intervals; holding the plural semiconductor substrates with roll brushes provided in plural pieces by each front side and back side of the plural semiconductor substrates, longitudinal directions of the roll brushes being oriented in parallel relative to the front side and the back side; and cleaning the plural semiconductor substrates by rotating the plural roll brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yasuhito Yoshimizu, Hisashi Okuchi, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Publication number: 20140075690
    Abstract: A substrate cleaning apparatus is provided. The substrate cleaning apparatus includes a plurality of transfer rollers for transferring a substrate; a liquid chemical feeder supplying a liquid chemical to a first surface of the substrate; wherein the liquid chemical feeder comprises a first housing and a first cleaning roller rotatably installed within the housing and having an upper portion configured to contact with the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Seung-Jun Lee, Jung-Hwa You, Sohra Hahn, Dong-Myung Shin
  • Patent number: 8656545
    Abstract: A core for a cleaning sponge roller and a cleaning sponge roller set include a core and a cleaning sponge roller mounted on the core. The core for the cleaning sponge roller is in a substantially cylindrical shape including a bore extending in an axial direction and a plurality of small holes communicating between the bore and a circumferential outer surface of the core. The diameter of the bore is 10 mm or more. The diameter of the small holes is 2.5 mm or more. A total of cross-sectional areas of openings of all the small holes is larger than a cross-sectional area of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aion Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Okuzono, Hiroshi Miyaji, Yoichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8650693
    Abstract: A solar panel includes a cleaning assembly, the solar panel being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along a semi-circular path and the cleaning assembly comprising an oblong brush held across the front face of the solar panel and slidable back and forth along the front face of the solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay
    Inventors: Solanki Chetan Singh, Tejwani Ravi
  • Publication number: 20140020723
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a self-contained modular system for cleaning porous mats. The cleaning comprises: a housing having a top and bottom orientation and having a front face defining at least an inlet; at least one conveyor in the housing having an upstream and downstream orientation and having an upstream end disposed at the inlet; a solvent application mechanism downstream of the upstream end for applying solvent to the mat; and a basin under at least a portion of the conveyor for collecting solvent and debris falling from the mat. The conveyor is configured to draw the mat into the housing edge-wise, and the downstream end is positioned in relation to an outlet such that the mat is channeled though the outlet as it exits the downstream end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Murphy
  • Publication number: 20140004785
    Abstract: A container date center includes a container and an automatic dustproof device. The container defines an air inlet. A dustproof mesh covers the air inlet. The automatic dustproof device includes a brush slidably abutting against the dustproof mesh, a drive apparatus driving the bush to move relative to the dustproof mesh, a wind speed sensor installed in the container and aligning with the air inlet, a controller controlling the drive apparatus, and a computer electronically connected to the wind speed sensor and the controller. A measured value of the wind speed sensor is compared with a predetermined value stored in the computer. The controller controls the drive apparatus to operate in response to the measured value being less than the predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHAO-KE WEI
  • Patent number: 8585826
    Abstract: A method of web cleaning, particularly relatively soft polymeric webs, without using dipping baths or ultrasonic energy. The method includes conveying the web against a backup roller and spraying the web with a high pressure liquid while the web is supported by the backup roller. Thereafter, residual fluid from the high pressure stream is stripped from the web by a gas curtain while the web is supported by the backup roller. In many convenient embodiments, the web is contacted with a cleaning roller while the web is in contact with the backup roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Brian E. Schreiber, William B. Kolb, Keith R. Bruesewitz
  • Patent number: 8551253
    Abstract: A method for cleaning plated polished disks used in hard drive media is provided. The method includes positioning plated polished disks in a first batch scrubber having multiple first brushes, wherein each of the plated polished disks is positioned between two of the first brushes, and scrubbing the plated polished disks with the first brushes. The method further includes positioning the plated polished disks scrubbed in the first batch scrubber in a second batch scrubber having multiple second brushes, wherein each of the plated polished disks is positioned between two of the second brushes, and scrubbing the plated polished disks with the second brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WD Media, LLC
    Inventors: Nazman Na'im, Yeong Yih Boo
  • Publication number: 20130239343
    Abstract: A vehicle for cleaning collector mirrors in solar thermal energy installations, includes an operating cab (2), a body (3) for housing and holding the different items, a rolling system for moving the vehicle, a clean water tank, an assembly for discharging the clean water, at least one structure for spraying clean water (100)) onto the surfaces of the mirrors (22) and a tray (46) for collecting the water used in cleaning the mirrors; a set of lifting columns (5, 6); and supports (53, 63) for the cleaning and/or drying assemblies able to slide along the lifting columns, and in which the cleaning assembly includes a structure fitted with a rigid bar (91), which assumes the profile of the mirror to be cleaned, the bar being provided with an external rotation assembly for a brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: LOGISTICA Y ACONDICIONAMIENTOS INDUSTRIALES, S.A.U
    Inventor: Jesús Lacalle Bayo
  • Publication number: 20130199563
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning a semiconductor wafer includes a rotary brush to be positioned to clean the semiconductor wafer, and an optical sensing device associated with the rotary brush to sense a separation distance between a reference position thereon and the semiconductor wafer. An actuator is coupled to the optical sensing device to position the rotary brush based upon the sensed separation distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics, Inc.,
    Inventor: John H. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8496758
    Abstract: A front surface of the wafer is contacted with a straight-shaped front surface cleaning brush, and a pressure is applied on the front surface cleaning brush from both ends to enlarge the diameters in both end portions of the front surface cleaning brush. The front surface cleaning brush rotates with a shaft being an axis. An inner surface of the front surface cleaning brush is directly in contact with a surface of the shaft. The front surface cleaning brush is composed of a single structure made of synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Naoki Idani
  • Patent number: 8479342
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning rubberized, plastic, or foam exercise mats is disclosed. The apparatus includes a machine having a frame structure, at least two sets of rollers, a mechanism coupled to the rollers to push and/or pull the mat through the machine, a cleaning solution application system, a scrubbing system, a cleaning solution removal system, and a housing to enclose the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventors: Mindy Benson, Nathan Benson
  • Patent number: 8458842
    Abstract: A post-CMP wafer cleaning apparatus includes a chamber; a plurality of rollers adapted to hold and rotate a wafer within the chamber; at least one brush adapted to scrub a surface of the wafer to be cleaned; and a liquid spraying device adapted to spray a liquid on the wafer, the liquid spraying device comprising two spray bars jointed together via a joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Li-Chung Liu, Yi-Nan Chen, Hsien-Wen Liu
  • Patent number: 8458843
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a processing surface of a cylindrical roller disposed in a brush box is described. In one embodiment, a brush box is described. The brush box includes a tank having an interior volume and a pair of cylindrical rollers at least partially disposed in the interior volume, each of the cylindrical rollers being rotatable about a respective axis, an actuator assembly coupled to each of the cylindrical rollers to move the respective cylindrical roller between a first position where the cylindrical rollers are in proximity and a second position where the cylindrical rollers are spaced away from each other, and a conditioning device for each of the cylindrical rollers, each conditioning device including a conditioner disposed in the interior volume, the conditioner contacting an outer surface of each of the cylindrical rollers when the rollers are in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Sen-Hou Ko, Lakshmanan Karuppiah
  • Patent number: 8448288
    Abstract: Semiconductor equipment is provided to include a reaction chamber, a movable frame, and at least one cleaning brush head. The cleaning brush head is configured to operate on at least one dirty portion to be cleaned within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is disposed within the reaction chamber. The movable frame is capable of carrying a susceptor. The cleaning brush head is capable of touching the dirty portion. The cleaning brush head is capable of moving relative to the dirty portion for removing the residue which is attached to the portion to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Hermes-Epitek Corporation
    Inventors: Chien-Ping Huang, Tsan-Hua Huang, Tsung-Hsun Han
  • Publication number: 20130111678
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for cleaning a substrate. Particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for cleaning a substrate using a scrub brush. One embodiment provides a brush box assembly for cleaning a substrate. The assembly comprises a chamber body having a cleaning chamber disposed therein, a rotatable chuck disposed in the cleaning chamber, and an edge cleaner module positioned adjacent the chuck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Hui Chen, Allen L. D'Ambra, Lakshmanan Karuppiah, Thomas H. Osterheld
  • Publication number: 20130086761
    Abstract: A solar panel 100 comprising a cleaning assembly 102, the solar panel 100 being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis along a semi-circular path and the cleaning assembly 102 comprises an oblong brush 120 held across the front face 116 of the solar panel 100 and slidable back and forth along the front face 116 of the solar panel 100 (FIG. 2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY
    Inventors: Solanki Chetan Singh, Tejwani Ravi
  • Publication number: 20130061409
    Abstract: An erasing device of one embodiment includes a conveyance unit that conveys a sheet; a pair of rotating brushes is provided corresponding to both side portions in a width direction perpendicular to a sheet conveyance direction of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance unit, the rotating brushes being provided to oppose to each other, nipping the conveyed sheet, the rotating brushes rotating in the same direction as the sheet conveyance direction such that a circumferential speed of the brush tip has a higher speed than a conveyance speed of the sheet, the rotating brushes rolling and correcting a corner fold portion which occurs on the sheet conveyed by the brush tip portion while rotating; and an erasing unit is provided downstream in the sheet conveyance direction than the rotating brush, the erasing unit erasing an image which is formed on the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yoichi Yamaguchi, Ken Iguchi, Isao Yahata, Takahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshiaki Sugizaki, Kikuo Mizutani, Hiroyuki Taki, Hiroyuki Tsuchihashi, Chiaki Iizuka, Hidetoshi Yokochi, Toshiaki Oshiro, Hiroyuki Hazu, Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Yuichi Saito, Jun Ishii
  • Publication number: 20130037055
    Abstract: Transferring plural semiconductor substrates under a state being held with predetermined intervals; holding the plural semiconductor substrates with roll brushes provided in plural pieces by each front side and back side of the plural semiconductor substrates, longitudinal directions of the roll brushes being oriented in parallel relative to the front side and the back side; and cleaning the plural semiconductor substrates by rotating the plural roll brushes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yasuhito YOSHIMIZU, Hisashi Okuchi, Hiroshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 8356376
    Abstract: To provide a substrate cleaning apparatus capable of effectively removing deposits adhering to at least an end surface of a substrate by means of a sponge-like brush. A substrate cleaning apparatus includes: a spin chuck configured to rotatably hold a substrate W; a motor configured to rotate the substrate W held by the spin chuck; a cleaning-liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a cleaning liquid to the substrate W held by the spin chuck. The cleaning mechanism includes: a brush made of a sponge-like resin, which is brought into contact with at least an end surface of the wafer W during the cleaning; and a brush compressing mechanism configured to compress the brush. The brush is compressed by the compressing mechanism, and cleans at least the end surface of the substrate W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Mouri, Satoru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8347442
    Abstract: A barbeque grill cleaning device including a soaking container, in which the grill may be submerged in a cleaning liquid, and a rotary scrubbing head for scrubbing the grill while positioned in the soaking container. The barbeque grill cleaning device includes: a container defining a cavity shaped and sized for receiving a barbeque grill therein; and a scrubbing head for scrubbing the barbeque grill, the scrubbing head is rotatable relative to the container; such that the cleaning of the barbeque grill is aided by a scrubbing action as a result of contact between the barbeque grill and the rotating scrubbing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Bernard Micael Peacocke
  • Patent number: 8343434
    Abstract: Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8336148
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a wafer includes a charge neutralization system. The wafer processing system includes a wafer measuring device that can measure characteristics of a surface of the semiconductor wafer. One or more wafer processing stations perform a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process on the wafer surface. A desica cleaning station can clean and dry the semiconductor wafer. The wafer processing system further includes a charge neutralizing device that can alter a surface charge of the wafer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8316497
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes: a brush for cleaning a substrate; a seesaw member which is swingable with a support member serving as a fulcrum and which has a force point section at one side with respect to the fulcrum and an actuating point section at the other side with respect to the fulcrum; a pushing actuator arranged to give a driving force to the force point section of the seesaw member, thereby to swing the seesaw member around the fulcrum, thus giving, to the seesaw member, a pushing force for pushing the brush to the substrate; and a transmission member which has an affected point section for receiving, from the actuating point section of the seesaw member, a driving force given to the force point section, and which transmits, to the brush, a pushing force for pushing the same to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Shibukawa, Shinji Kiyokawa, Ichiro Mitsuyoshi
  • Patent number: 8316498
    Abstract: A dusting equipment (1) for dusting a substantially parallelepiped-shaped or prism-shaped item (9), in particular a book. The equipment comprises a dusting station (6), a carriage (4) and motive means (44, 51, 55) adapted to move the carriage (4) with a reciprocating motion along a moving path between a first position for receiving the item (9) and a second end-of-stroke position. The carriage (4) is adapted to move the item (9) through the dusting station (6) during a motion between the first receiving position and the second end-of-stroke position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Miani
  • Patent number: 8302242
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning workpieces (5) using two pairs of substantially vertical rotating roller brushes (15) at each brush station whereby rotation of said brushes (15) propel workpieces (5) from one brush station to the next. Workpieces (5) are held for a predetermined period of time at each station by edgewheels (30, 31) which also rotate the workpieces (5). Cleaning fluid is sprayed onto workpieces (5) as they rotate to assist in removing particulate contamination. Method involves inserting a single workpiece (5) in between two pairs of rotating roller brushes (15) which scrub said workpiece as it is rotated by a pair of edgewheels (30, 31). There may be a divider shield (9) in between each brush station to prevent a large proportion of particulate matter and used cleaning fluid from traveling between the brush stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Invenpro (M) SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Kae Jeng Ng, Kien Hui Liang, Kien Yew Liang
  • Patent number: 8298342
    Abstract: A dedusting device and method is disclosed for the dry or moist dedusting (i.e., cleaning, dusting, or removal of dirt, dust, or other debris) from components, e.g., of motor vehicles. An exemplary method may generally include positioning a dusting tool driven by a drive motor in a predetermined dusting position such that the tool contacts or touches the component, and determining a first operating variable of the drive motor of the dusting tool when positioning the dusting tool in the predetermined dusting position. The first operating variable may reflect a mechanical load of the drive motor due to the contact with the component to be dusted. The method may further include calculating a corrected dusting position as a function of the predetermined dusting position and the first operating variable of the drive motor, and positioning the dusting tool in the corrected dusting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Durr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Haas, Alexander Meissner, Marcus Frey
  • Publication number: 20120260443
    Abstract: The device includes a screen cleaning brush with multiple fibers or cleaning fingers made from a flexible material with a hook and barb shape. The hook is designed to trap the screen strand as it passes and rotates on a flexible arm to clean the adjacent and opposite side of the strand and then flexes to release the strand. The instant invention has a unique propulsion system and navigation system that enables automatic navigation of the cleaning apparatus on the screen of the aquaculture cage. Alternative the screen cleaning can be performed with a frame having fins to assist in the directional placement of the cleaning fingers against a submersed screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: Peter B. Lindgren
  • Patent number: 8286292
    Abstract: A rug cleaning system for efficiently cleaning a rug without the need for bending over to reach the rug or being subjected to loose dust and debris. The rug cleaning system generally includes a housing having an entrance opening and an exit opening, with a passageway connecting the openings. A first roller is positioned on one side of the passageway at its upper portion with a second roller is positioned on the other side opposite the first roller. A cleaning brush is positioned beneath the second roller. As a rug is inserted into the entrance opening, it is sandwiched between the rollers and forced down through the passageway past the cleaning brush. The cleaning brush removes any debris from the rug and transfers the debris to a debris storage member through use of transfer members and a vacuum. The cleaned rug then exits the exit opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Roy Carl Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8286293
    Abstract: A cleaning processing unit includes a spin chuck for horizontally holding a substrate and rotating the substrate around the vertical axis passing through the center of the substrate. A bevel cleaner is disposed outside the spin chuck. The bevel cleaner includes a cleaning brush. The cleaning brush has a shape that is symmetric about its vertical axis, and has an upper bevel cleaning surface, an end surface cleaning surface, and a lower bevel cleaning surface. The end surface cleaning surface is a cylindrical surface having its axis in the vertical direction. The upper bevel cleaning surface extends out from and is inclined upward from the upper end of the end surface cleaning surface, and the lower bevel cleaning surface extends out from and is inclined downward from the lower end of the end surface cleaning surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sokudo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nishiyama, Joichi Nishimura, Hiroshi Yoshii
  • Patent number: 8250695
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method for a roller assembly that may be utilized in a brush cleaning module. In one embodiment, a roller assembly is described. The roller assembly includes an annular groove having at least two substantially parallel opposing sidewalls adapted to contact the major surfaces of a substrate along a periphery of the substrate, each of the opposing sidewalls comprising a compressible material having a pre-compressed dimension that is less than a thickness of the periphery of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lakshmanan Karuppiah, Dan Zhang, Simon Yavelberg, Jim K. Atkinson, Hung Chih Chen, Noel Manto, Jonathan Domin
  • Patent number: 8240320
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cleaning solar panels by means of a washing apparatus (1) which can be displaced on the solar panel (2) and applies rinsing water to the surface of the solar panel (2) and washes the surface with the help of washing nozzles and/or brushes. The washing apparatus (1) embraces the solar panel (2) in the edge region in such a way that the washing apparatus (1) is guided in a longitudinally movable way directly on the solar panel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Novatec Solar GmbH
    Inventors: Max Mertins, Martin Selig
  • Patent number: 8234739
    Abstract: Scrubbing apparatus is configured by methods so that discs are quickly cleaned and conveyed by selecting a total number of spiral brush segments, rates of brush rotation, and a pitch length of a helical junction that receives discs for cleaning and transport. A time period for cleaning and transporting discs depends on the pitch length, rotational speed and configurations of the segments. An increase of the cleaning time period may result from use of an increased number of brush segments. A group of discs is cleaned by the same spiral brush, by one-by-one insertion of the discs into the junctions, and transporting the discs through the same segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Xyratex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Dave Frost, Sean Harbison, Yassin Mehmandoust, Mike Forkapa, Ken Miller
  • Patent number: 8215259
    Abstract: A tire dressing applicator comprises a support and one or more foam plastic elements mounted on the support so as to contact a tire sidewall and transfer dressing onto the tire sidewall. A distribution system drips or drizzles dressing onto the element(s) after which it is spread over and into the element(s) surface. The elements can be toroidal or rectangular and have anti-distortion pins embedded therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Belanger, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Tognetti, Mark D. Morin, Michael J. Belanger, Barry S. Turner
  • Publication number: 20120137455
    Abstract: A dusting equipment (1) for dusting a substantially parallelepiped-shaped or prism-shaped item (9), in particular a book. The equipment comprises a dusting station (6), a carriage (4) and motive means (44, 51, 55) adapted to move the carriage (4) with a reciprocating motion along a moving path between a first position for receiving the item (9) and a second end-of-stroke position. The carriage (4) is adapted to move the item (9) through the dusting station (6) during a motion between the first receiving position and the second end-of-stroke position, and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ORACLE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Massimo Miani
  • Patent number: 8191195
    Abstract: An apparatus for scratching and disposing a scratch-off coating that conceals information on a paper is provided. The apparatus includes a panel, one or more scratch tools, a brush and a debris unit. The panel includes a base and a plurality of walls. The plurality of walls is configured along a periphery of the base to form an enclosed area therebetween for accommodating the paper. The paper is accommodated within the enclosed area, and the scratch-off coating is scratched using the one or more scratch tools. The one or more scratch tools are capable of being contained within the panel. Scratching the scratch-off coating forms debris. The debris formed is swept using a brush. The brush is capable of being contained within the panel. The swept debris is received and contained in the debris unit that is coupled to a first wall of the plurality of walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Donald W. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120125367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a service device for maintenance of a solar panel arrangement, comprising a service unit for maintenance of at least one surface of the solar panel arrangement, a guiding unit for guiding the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, and a driving unit for moving the service unit with respect to the solar panel arrangement, wherein the service unit comprises a first engagement section and a second engagement section, wherein the guiding unit is attachable to the first engagement section, the guiding unit being configured for direct engagement with an edge of the solar panel arrangement, wherein the driving unit is attachable to the second engagement section, and wherein the second engagement section is displaceable with respect to the first engagement section by the driving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Fachhochschule Regensburg
    Inventors: Gareth Monkman, Christian Baar, Arthur Fischer, Stefan Jaeger, Sebastian Kilbertus, Adrian Patzak, Michael Schumm, Daniel Treiber
  • Patent number: 8181302
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing uniform pressure, friction and/or contact between a substrate and a cylindrical roller in a brush-type cleaning system is described. The apparatus includes an alignment member adapted to allow pivotal movement of the cylindrical roller based on the topography of a substrate and/or the outer surface of the cylindrical roller. The method includes positioning a substrate between two cylindrical rollers, moving each of the two cylindrical rollers to a position where at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the cylindrical rollers are in contact with the major surfaces of the substrate, and rotating one or both of the substrate and the two cylindrical rollers relative to each other while allowing a longitudinal axis of one or both of the two cylindrical rollers to pivot relative to a plane defined by one of the major surfaces of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung Chih Chen, Hui Chen, Dan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8146194
    Abstract: The present invention is a buffer device that is designed and configured to successfully and adequately buff and polish any desired surface without causing fatigue for the user, as well as without creating any swirl marks. In order to provide for such a product, the present invention comprises a frame having a cylindrical body secured thereto. A motor is coupled to the cylindrical body to provide for the body to rotate about a normally horizontal axis that is parallel to the desired surface to be buffed, polished, and cleaned or the like. Secured to the cylindrical body is a buffing/cleaning pad fabricated from a conventional material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: James Farrell
  • Patent number: 8127391
    Abstract: An inventive substrate treatment apparatus includes a substrate rotation unit which rotates a substrate, a brush to be brought into contact with at least a peripheral edge portion of a front surface of the substrate rotated by the substrate rotation unit, and a peripheral rinse liquid ejection unit which ejects a rinse liquid toward a predetermined rinse liquid applying position on the peripheral edge portion of the front surface of the substrate from a position located radially inward of the predetermined rinse liquid applying position with respect to a rotation radius of the substrate, the predetermined rinse liquid applying position being spaced downstream in a substrate rotation direction from a brush contact area of the peripheral edge portion kept in contact with the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nonomura, Junichi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120031425
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and methods for processing solar cell devices. In one embodiment, a method removing particles from edge regions of the solar cell device by a cleaning module with a constant loading applied onto a back surface of the solar cell device, wherein the cleaning modules has two or more roller-type brushes disposed at opposed sides of a rotation table located before and/or after a quality assurance stage configured to measure and correct defects in the solar cell device, and transferring the solar cell device into an edge deletion station in which an electromagnetic radiation energy is used to remove materials from a top surface of the solar cell device. The roller-type brushes include non-abrasive bristles configured to remove unwanted material from the periphery region of the solar cell device prior to transferring into the edge delete station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Ofer Kadar, Ofer Amir, Babu Chinnasamy
  • Publication number: 20120030888
    Abstract: Mat washing device, method of using the mat washing device, and method of washing mats. The mat washing device includes a system that may be transported on a flat bed trailer from one location to another. The mat washing device includes conveying systems, brush systems, rails systems and control mechanisms. The mat washing device may be used by placing mat, on edge, on a conveying system and conveying the mat to a first brushing system and a second brushing system. In one aspect the first brushing system includes a cable brush having a bolt secured at the end of a cable in order to beat or brush material from the mat when the cable brush is spun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Randall D. Rubenzer, Robert M. Simons