Article Reoriented While Fully Supported By Stationary Supporting Surface Patents (Class 414/781)
  • Patent number: 11858119
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying chemical liquid may include a gantry, a chemical liquid supply member providing a chemical liquid onto a substrate, and a moving device supporting the chemical liquid supply member and moving along the gantry. The moving device may include a moving member, load supporting members and absorbing members. The moving member may support one side of the chemical liquid supply member and may run over the gantry. The moving member may cover an upper face, a first side and a second side of the gantry. The load supporting members may support a load applied to the moving member and the gantry while maintaining a substantially constant distance between the moving member and the gantry. The absorbing members may absorb an impulsive load or an impulsive force applied to the moving member and/or the gantry when the moving member deviates from a moving path provided by the gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eonseok Lee, Boramchan Sung
  • Patent number: 11769978
    Abstract: An assembly system includes a robot, a first gripper mounted on the robot, the first gripper gripping a first housing, and a first clamping device clamping a cable and a contact connected to an end of the cable. The robot moves the first gripper and assembles the first housing gripped by the first gripper onto the contact held by the first clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignees: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH Tyco, Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Kunshan League Automechanism Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingcong Deng, Dandan Zhang, Lvhai Hu, An Yang, Jian Cao, Yun Liu, Roberto Franciso-Yi Lu, Yuting He, Haidong Wu, Hui Xiao
  • Patent number: 11718111
    Abstract: An inkjet printer is described. The inkjet printer has a substrate holder assembly that includes a base member having a long axis in a first direction and a short axis in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a contact member coupled to the base member, the contact member having a long axis in the first direction and a short axis in the second direction; a holder carriage coupled to the base member; a linear extender coupled between the base member and the contact member and extending in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction from the base member toward the contact member; and a flex member coupled to the base member, extending in the second direction between the linear extender and the contact member, and having a flex direction in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
    Inventors: Digby Pun, Alexander Sou-Kang Ko, David C. Donovan
  • Patent number: 11488851
    Abstract: A method for aligning and contacting a first substrate with a second substrate using a plurality of detection units and a corresponding device for alignment and contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Wagenleitner, Dominik Zinner, Jurgen Markus Suss, Christian Sinn, Jurgen Mallinger
  • Patent number: 10861736
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing a plurality of substrates in a batch processing chamber are described. The apparatus comprises a susceptor assembly, a lift assembly and a rotation assembly. The susceptor assembly has a top surface and a bottom surface with a plurality of recesses in the top surface. Each of the recesses has a lift pocket in the recess bottom. The lift assembly including a lift plate having a top surface to contact the substrate. The lift plate is connected to a lift shaft that extends through the susceptor assembly and connects to a lift friction pad. The rotation assembly has a rotation friction pad that contacts the lift friction pad. The rotation friction pad is connected to a rotation shaft and can be vertically aligned with the lift friction pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaushal Gangakhedkar, Joseph Yudovsky
  • Patent number: 10759621
    Abstract: A paper rewinding machine includes a rewinding assembly operable to produce coreless retail paper rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: JENNERJAHN MACHINE, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Jennerjahn, Roger W. Vogel, Kyle J. Mosier
  • Patent number: 10759622
    Abstract: A paper rewinding machine includes a rewinding assembly operable to produce coreless retail paper rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: JENNERJAHN MACHINE, INC.
    Inventors: Roger W. Vogel, Christopher B. Jennerjahn, Kyle J. Mosier
  • Patent number: 9570716
    Abstract: A deposition substrate transferring unit that can deposit a deposition material at an exact location on a substrate, includes an electrostatic chuck that has a first surface to which a substrate is attached; and a carrier having a surface that combines with a second surface of the electrostatic chuck to move the electrostatic chuck in a first direction. The carrier includes accommodation parts disposed in empty space within the carrier, and supplementary ribs respectively formed on surfaces of the accommodation parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Young Yun, Jong-Hee Lim
  • Patent number: 8961096
    Abstract: A transportable apparatus has a main body configured to be transported in a horizontal orientation, and then raised to a vertical orientation in a working position. A base is mounted on the bottom end of the main body such that the main body rests on the base in the working position, and such that the base is carried at a rear end of the main body when the main body is in a horizontal transport position supported on. The base is rotatable about a vertical base axis such that the main body can be rotated with respect to the base about the base axis. A frame and wheels can be pivotally attached to the main body to transport the main body and then be stored in a vertical orientation along a wall of the man body in the working position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alvin Herman, Erin Herman
  • Patent number: 8882076
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating articles stored on a pallet without rotating the entire pallet. The turntable of the present invention is located on the pallet or integrated into the top surface of the pallet. By rotating the pallet within the rack, the articles thereon may be loaded and unloaded from a position directly in front of the picker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Unex Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: David Scelfo
  • Patent number: 8870562
    Abstract: A motif-arraying apparatus for arraying motifs such as a hot fix or the like in mounting grooves formed in a mold plate. The motif-arraying apparatus includes a shaking member for loading motifs in the mounting grooves formed in the mold plate, wherein the shaking member includes a vertical board and a horizontal board coupled to an edge thereof, and a plurality of shaking knives coupled to the bottom surface of the vertical board at a predetermined interval. The apparatus not only enables motifs to be correctly arrayed in the mounting grooves formed in the mold plate in a quick and easy manner, but also enables a motif inserted in a wrong direction to be removed from the mounting groove and correctly arrayed, thereby improving productivity, minimizing defects, and reducing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Duk Haui Hong
  • Patent number: 8756798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fitting and equipping motor vehicle battery housings as a compact system, which comprises individual production stations and associated transport devices, wherein the battery plate packs to be processed are arranged in clamping cassettes and are provided to the device in the necessary pack width for the intended battery cells by a feeding station arranged upstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Sasit Industrietechnik GmbH, VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Jochen Meier, Thomas Dörffel, Roger Loer
  • Patent number: 8622684
    Abstract: A workpiece orientation apparatus includes a base, two pushing bars, a linear actuator, a connecting member, at least one first connecting bar, and a second connecting bar. The two pushing bars are slidably connected to the base and aligned apart along a first direction. The linear actuator is mounted on the base. The connecting member is driven by the linear actuator to move back and forth along a second direction. One end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to the connecting member, and the other end of the first connecting bar is rotatably connected to one of the two pushing bars. One end of the second connecting bar is connected to the first connecting bar and is rotatably assembled together on the connecting member. The other end of the second connecting bar is rotatably connected to the other of the two pushing bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Cheng Bao, Zhen-Hua Xu
  • Patent number: 8593613
    Abstract: An LCD exposure stage device is used for placing a substrate thereon, and comprises: a stage having an upper surface contacting with a bottom surface of the substrate; and a plurality of moving pins disposed flat on the upper surface of the stage with pin heads thereof corresponding to side surfaces of the substrate respectively so that the substrate can move horizontally by the moving pins. According to the present disclosure, only the substrate needs to be moved, so the operations are more convenient; and because the stage is always kept at a fixed position, the requirement on its strength can be appropriately lowered. Furthermore, because the substrate contacts with the stage all the time during the moving and exposure processes, and the time necessary for the exposure process is shortened, which make fabrication of the whole LCD panel more efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiao-hsien Chen
  • Patent number: 8550470
    Abstract: Provided is a positioning apparatus including: a reference member that is serving as a reference for positioning; a support part that supports the reference member; and a first fixing member provided on the support part that fixes the reference member and the support part or releases the fixing. The reference member is connected to the support part in a movable state and fixed to the support part by the first fixing member after a position is determined. The reference member of the positioning apparatus is precisely installed to a reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Amano, Satoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8403144
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a distribution assembly is used to distribute a load of liquid containers. The distribution assembly may include a slip sheet, a pallet divider, and a rotating pallet. The slip sheet may be designed to laterally group two or more liquid containers. The pallet divider may divide the load into sections, each section containing a stack of liquid containers. The pallet divider may restrict access to one of the sections to distribute the liquid containers of the other section. The rotating pallet may rotate the load to allow the other section to be accessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dean Intellectual Property Services II, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl T. Eiten
  • Patent number: 8079662
    Abstract: A droplet applying apparatus includes a base 11 having a mounting surface 11a on which a substrate 10 is to be mounted, an arm part 4 which is fitted to the base 11 so as to be movable relative to the base 11 in an arrow A direction, a plurality of droplet ejecting sections 6 which are fitted to the arm part 4 so as to be movable relative to the base 11 in an arrow B direction and which eject droplets to the substrate 10 mounted on the mounting surface 11a, image pickup parts 90 for detecting alignment marks 110 of the substrate 10 mounted on the mounting surface 11a, and a attitude adjustment member 12 for adjusting an attitude of the substrate 10 mounted on the mounting surface 11a based on a detection result of the image pickup parts 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nakajima, Toshihiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 8061958
    Abstract: A method of adjusting any deviations of plate material in the lateral and longitudinal directions including: measuring positions on a first long side of a plate, rotating the plate thereby removing the difference between first and second points; measuring a position on a second long side of the plate, calculating the position of the center line in the lateral direction based on first, second and third points; adjusting the deviation of the positions by moving the plate in the lateral direction and matching the center line with the targeted center line; measuring a fourth position on a short side of the plate and calculating the position of the center line based on the position of the fourth point; and adjusting the deviation by moving the plate in a longitudinal direction and matching the center line in the longitudinal direction with the targeted center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sintokogio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Abeta, Hiroyuki Itakura
  • Publication number: 20110070060
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning and inserting a plate stack (112) into an automatic plate loader (100) in a predefined position. A plate pallet (116) carries the plate stack. A plate pallet adapter (128) adapted to carry the plate pallet, a centering element (236, 264) attached to the plate pallet adapter aligns the plate stack in a center position relative to the plate pallet adapter. A guiding unit (216, 220, 224, 228, 232, 504, 712) is attached to the plate pallet adapter, configured to align to the plate pallet and guide the plate pallet adapter into the automatic plate loader. In one embodiment, a plate adapter positioning sensor (268) is configured to sense and notify (124) an operator when the pallet adapter reaches the predefined position (248).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Silverman, Pavel Korolik
  • Publication number: 20110070061
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for rotating articles stored on a pallet without rotating the entire pallet. The turntable of the present invention is located on the pallet or integrated into the top surface of the pallet. By rotating the pallet within the rack, the articles thereon may be loaded and unloaded from a position directly in front of the picker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventor: David Scelfo
  • Patent number: 7735710
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a substrate is generally provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a support plate having a first body disposed proximate thereto. A first pushing member is radially coupled to the first body and adapted to urge the substrate in a first direction parallel to the support plate when the first body rotates. In another aspect, a load lock chamber having a substrate support that supports a substrate placed thereon includes a cooling plate that is moved to actuate at least one alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism includes a pushing member that urges the substrate in a first direction towards a center of the support. The pushing member may additionally rotate about an axis perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Wendell T. Blonigan, Suhail Anwar, Toshio Kiyotake, Hung T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7712228
    Abstract: A method and device for effecting automatic centering of an annular workpiece on a rotating surface having a rotational center involves arbitrarily positioning the workpiece on the slowly rotating surface, applying a support for the workpiece by way of spaced apart contact members that individually contact the workpiece and are synchronously movable in a guided reciprocating manner towards and away from the rotational center of the rotating surface. The contact members are gradually retracted away from the rotational center of the rotating surface until the workpiece is unaffected by the contact members during one revolution of the rotating surface so that the workpiece is centered, and the center of the workpiece coincides with the rotational center of the rotating surface. At least one of the contact members is provided with a mechanism for counteracting a friction force acting on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Peter Calås, Jacek Kaminski, Håkan Båstedt, Stefan Högnäs
  • Publication number: 20100034632
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for rotating a heavy weight object by coincidence of centers of gravity. The apparatus includes a fixing frame unit to fix the weight object; a weight object rotating unit accommodating the weight object, including a rotatable semicircular frame, and connected to the fixing frame unit; a weight object/frame support unit formed under the semicircular frame to support the semicircular frame; and a motor/gear unit formed between the weight object rotating unit and the weight object/frame support unit to rotate the weight object rotating unit using bearings. The apparatus rotates the weight object even when the minimum force is applied to the weight object through the weight object rotating unit, has a minimized radius of rotation, and secures the safety, thus being applied to a production and assembly line in a narrow space to produce weight objects or a structural test building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA ELECTRIC POWER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dong-Su PARK
  • Patent number: 7610785
    Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tatsuya Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20090028685
    Abstract: A method for securing a closure on a cylindrical container (such as a pharmaceutical vial) includes: positioning a closure in a first position, the closure being substantially centered via a centering assembly along an axis that is generally normal to the closure; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a second position; positioning a cylindrical container, the container being substantially centered via the centering assembly along the axis; translating the substantially centered closure along the axis to a third position in which it is adjacent the substantially centered container; and relatively rotating the closure and the container to secure the closure to the container. With such a method, both the closure and the cylinder can be centered along the axis, thereby registering them with each other for reliable securing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: John Richard Sink, Richard D. Michelli, Charles H. Guthrie, Joseph C. Moran, JR., Demetris P. Young
  • Patent number: 7458762
    Abstract: The disclosure is a baking apparatus including a susceptor, lift pins, and guiding blocks positioned at the edge of the susceptor to lead a wafer to be exactly positioned on the susceptor. The guiding blocks are linearly movable within a range of a semidiameter of a plate. A wafer is partially mounted on a wafer guide, being inclined against the susceptor, and thereby may heats uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Ho Han, Sun-Kyu Kim
  • Publication number: 20080267739
    Abstract: Methods and devices for positioning a group, array, series or arrangement of plumb poles in a specific relationship relative to each other, whereby a first pole is inserted in a horizontal clamshell attached to a moveable platform, retained and raised to a vertical position and plumbed. The moveable platform is positioned over the pole insertion location and the pole is released. The process is repeated at as many holes as needed. Other embodiments are used to set the poles at specific heights, or angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Spilker
  • Patent number: 7412863
    Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tetsuya Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080189975
    Abstract: When chuck pins are in a releasing state, support pins for supporting a lower surface of a substrate at respective heights different from each other support the substrate in an inclined position. When the chuck pins are in a gripping state, substrate gripping parts grip a substrate sidewise to separate the substrate upwardly from a substrate rest part, thereby holding the substrate in a horizontal position at a predetermined gripping height. After a liquid mass covering the substrate is formed, the chuck pins are changed from the gripping state to the releasing state to support the substrate having been gripped in the horizontal position into an inclined position, thereby draining the liquid mass from the surface of the substrate. The substrate with the liquid mass drained from the surface thereof is held and rotated in a horizontal position. Thus, the substrate is dried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Katsuhiko MIYA
  • Patent number: 7390158
    Abstract: A handling device for electronic chip components includes an indexing table having a plurality of cavities for holding electronic chip components therein and a circulatory feeder for supplying the electronic chip components to the indexing table. One or more cavities are simultaneously disposed at a location which comes close to the circulatory feeder and, by performing a suction operation in the cavities, the electronic chip components are directly put into the cavities, without moving the electronic chip components along the main surface of the indexing table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Takagi, Eiji Karino
  • Publication number: 20080124207
    Abstract: A supporting pin which can cancel thermal expansion of a mounting table (hot plate) includes an upper supporting pin and a lower supporting pin, wherein the upper supporting pin and the lower supporting pin are independent of each other, the upper supporting pin is retained by the penetrating hole of the mounting table, and the lower supporting pin is attached to an elevator mechanism. Since the lower end of the upper supporting pin and the upper end of the lower supporting pin are in contact with each other, the operation of the supporting pin can be normally performed even when thermal expansion of the hot plate occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Futoshi Shimai
  • Publication number: 20080031718
    Abstract: A system for assisting a physically challenged person, for example, a less mobile person in a wheelchair, assists in maneuvering the person and wheelchair. The system includes a frame, a wheel connected to the frame, a rack formed to glide on the frame, and a support connected to the rack. The support is formed to accommodate wheels of a wheelchair and a person sitting in the wheelchair. A mechanized lifter is connected to the rack and the frame, and the lifter selectively vertically raises and lowers the rack along the frame. A mechanized recliner is connected to the rack and the support, and the recliner selectively tilts forward and backwards the support relative the frame. By loading the wheelchair and person onto the support of the system, the wheelchair and person can be moved laterally, vertically, and reclined, by movement of the system and the support of the system. The person in the wheelchair can remain seated in the wheelchair to obtain the movement assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Myron Ross, Deborah Ross, Olivia Cribbs
  • Publication number: 20080025831
    Abstract: A load positioning apparatus includes a movable table that is urged and held at a forward limit position by a movable-table urging element, a load-supporting roller that allows the load to laterally move on a horizontal surface, and a load-positioning roller that is supported on the movable table and adjoins the side face of the load supported in the fixed position on the load supporting roller. The urging element allows the table to recede together with the load-positioning roller when a load is vertically lowered at a position where the load-positioning roller is pushed outwardly with respect to the fixed position. The urging element has an urging force sufficient to return the movable table to the forward limit position so as to push back the load to the fixed position via the load positioning roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Ikehata
  • Patent number: 7153087
    Abstract: A centering unit comprises a plate, centering mechanism, link mechanism, and cylinder mechanism. The plate vertically divides the interior of a frame. The support table is located substantially on the center of the plate. The centering mechanism can center each wafer on the support table. Centering plates of the centering mechanism are located on either side of the support table and have engaging surfaces and that extend along the outer peripheral surface of the wafer. The link mechanism and the cylinder mechanism serve to extend and contract the space between the centering plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Ki Sang Kang, Shuji Akiyama, Hiroki Hosaka
  • Patent number: 6873402
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring the proper handling of reticles in the manufacturing of microdevices are disclosed. The methods and apparatus employ one or more reticle stop blocks fixed to a reticle handling arm. The one or more reticle stop blocks are designed and arranged to engage an edge of the reticle in order to place the reticle in a desired position on the reticle handling arm should the reticle be improperly arranged in a cassette in which the reticle is stored. By ensuring proper placement of the reticle on the reticle handling arm when the reticle is removed from the cassette, the likelihood of a subsequent fault in handling the reticle is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Lawson Greene, Jr., Ron Sinicki, Kurt Woolley
  • Patent number: 6824343
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting a substrate is generally provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting a substrate includes a support plate having a first body disposed proximate thereto. A first pushing member is radially coupled to the first body and adapted to urge the substrate in a first direction parallel to the support plate when the first body rotates. In another aspect, a load lock chamber having a substrate support that supports a substrate placed thereon includes a cooling plate that is moved to actuate at least one alignment mechanism. The alignment mechanism includes a pushing member that urges the substrate in a first direction towards a center of the support. The pushing member may additionally rotate about an axis perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kurita, Wendell T. Blonigan, Suhail Anwar, Toshio Kiyotake, Hung T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040047720
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate centering mechanism includes a plurality of substrate support pins, each pin having a top surface. The top surfaces of the pins define a plane in which the substrate is supported. Each pin has a tab mounted eccentrically at the top surface of the pin. The tabs extend upwardly relative to the top surfaces of the pins. The centering mechanism further includes a pin rotation mechanism adapted to rotate each pin. The pin rotation mechanism rotates the pins between a first position in which the tabs define an envelope that is larger than a circumference of the substrate and a second position in which the tabs define a centered position for the substrate. A telescoping arrangement of nesting shield segments may also be provided for each pin to prevent processing fluid from reaching a shaft of the pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander Lerner
  • Patent number: 6682295
    Abstract: A device for aligning a flatted object to a desired orientation. The flatted object has a substantially circular perimeter and a flatted chord portion and may be a silicon wafer or a cover for an electrostatic chuck. The device includes multiple conically shaped rollers that center and rotationally align the object, each roller having a bottom lip for supporting the object. Centering rollers are mounted so that they contact the circular perimeter of the object when it is in the desired orientation. Rotational alignment rollers are mounted so that they contact the flatted chord portion of the object when it is in the desired orientation. When placed on the alignment device, the flatted object passively moves to the desired orientation under the force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Novellus Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Blank, Christopher W. Burkhart
  • Patent number: 6571674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for making a series of cuts at different angles in one or more panels using a panel sawing machine. The method comprises the steps of: placing a stack of panels on a worktable; turning the stack a first time in a first direction of rotation; making a first series of cuts in the stack; turning the stack a second time in a direction opposite to the first direction of rotation and in such a way as to move the stack closer to the cutting line; and making a second series of cuts in the stack. The device comprises: a worktable having a cutting line for a panel sawing machine; a pickup element that moves along a first guide perpendicular to the cutting line; and a pusher element that moves along a second guide parallel to the cutting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Giben Impianti S.p.A.
    Inventor: Piergiorgio Benuzzi
  • Patent number: 6561750
    Abstract: A tilting platform for roll testing automotive vehicles rotates the automotive vehicle so that data can be collected to determine various roll characteristics of the vehicle. The tilting platform includes a support platform that is pivotally attached to a floor hoist. A pivot pin is positioned away from the midpoint of the support platform so that a distal end of the support platform rotates downward and a proximal end rotates upward when the floor hoist is raised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark H. Musselman, Floyd E. Fegley, Curtis W. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6527498
    Abstract: Apparatus for repositioning eggs from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position such that injection/removal of material into/from the side of the egg can occur. Each apparatus may include a cradle, an alignment member, and an orientation member. The cradle has an inclined, arcuate surface with an upper portion, a lower portion, and opposite side portions. The alignment member is operably positioned adjacent the cradle and is configured to engage an egg positioned on the arcuate surface lower portion in an inclined orientation and to releasably secure the egg in a predetermined alignment relative to the cradle. The orientation member is operably positioned relative to the cradle, and is configured to urge an egg positioned on the lower portion in an inclined orientation to a generally vertical orientation after injection/removal of material into/from the egg has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Embrex, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Alan Chalker, II, Johnny Mark Townsend, Edward Atkinson Pomeroy, III
  • Publication number: 20030031549
    Abstract: A wafer or some other article is aligned while being held by an end-effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Alexander J. Berger, Frank E. Kretz
  • Patent number: 6478529
    Abstract: A reclining support for a wheelchair includes a supporting platform wall that supports all four wheels of a wheelchair on a surface, and which has a backstop wall for stopping the large rear wheels of a wheelchair so that the wheelchair is stably supported on the platform. Clamps are used for holding the frame on the platform, so that the wheelchair does not move. The platform is mounted onto a base frame through a pivot mounting so it can be tilted rearwardly, and also the platform is adjustable in a vertical direction relative to the base frame. The base frame has four wheels for stably supporting the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Wheelchair Recline, Inc.
    Inventors: Leone V. Willey, Donald L. Willey, Robert G. Willey
  • Publication number: 20020150460
    Abstract: Apparatus for repositioning eggs from a generally vertical position to a generally horizontal position such that injection/removal of material into/from the side of the egg can occur are provided. Each apparatus may include a cradle, an alignment member, and an orientation member. The cradle has an inclined, arcuate surface with an upper portion, a lower portion, and opposite side portions. The arcuate surface upper portion is configured to receive an end of a generally vertically oriented egg and to cause the egg to slide toward the lower portion such that the egg becomes positioned on the lower portion in an inclined orientation. The alignment member is operably positioned adjacent the cradle and is configured to engage an egg positioned on the arcuate surface lower portion in an inclined orientation and to releasably secure the egg in a predetermined alignment relative to the cradle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: B. Alan Chalker, Johnny Mark Townsend, Edward Atkinson Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 6152680
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the rotation of a wafer cassette such as between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The wafer cassette rotation device includes a carriage for receiving and supporting a wafer cassette, a receptacle in which the carriage is supported and rotates, and a drive mechanism for rotating the carriage together with any wafer cassette that has been inserted into the carriage, between horizontal and vertical orientations. The carriage is shaped to receive a standard wafer cassette, the carriage open at both front and top portions, includes wafer cassette supports. Wheels may be attached to opposing side edges of the bottom of the carriage. A cam drive mechanism is used to move the carriage within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Daitron, Inc.
    Inventors: John Howells, Robert H. Niemeyer, III
  • Patent number: 5727922
    Abstract: In an electronic component transfer method and apparatus, an electronic component is placed on a suctional top surface of a suction nozzle brought into a protruded posture relative to a component fixing block while the electronic component is drawn by suction by a transfer nozzle which is movable up and down, the electronic component placed on the component fixing block is pressed from above with the transfer nozzle so that the electronic component is sandwiched between the transfer nozzle and the suction nozzle, a position of the suction nozzle is fixed by the suction nozzle fixing stopper, and, in this state, the electronic component is held on the component fixing block by the holding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keishi Ikeya, Kanji Uchida, Makoto Sueki, Hideki Uchida
  • Patent number: 5522691
    Abstract: A connector manipulating apparatus use a positioning mechanism to position a connector in a predefined location and orientation. A programmable positioning device or robot retrieves a connector from a first location using a locating tool, and places the connector in the positioning mechanism. After the positioning mechanism places the connector in a predefined location and orientation, the programmable positioning device moves the connector to a work location where conductors are attached to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Carl R. Anderson, Gary G. Seaman
  • Patent number: 5484252
    Abstract: In a sample holding apparatus including a main body, a holding body movably provided to the main body, a spring disposed to urge the main body and the holding body toward one another, pins fixed to the main body and the holding body for holding a sample, holding and releasing of the sample are effected by action of a moving stroke of the sample holding apparatus itself and a support member fixed to the sample holding apparatus without requirement for special drive components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroto Mutoh
  • Patent number: 5173029
    Abstract: A device (10) for positioning a glass sheet or other generally rigid planar object (G), having a roller bed table (12) for supporting the object in a horizontal plane and an overhead device (14) carrying a first set of spaced apart arms (26, 28, 30, 32), each of which has a vertically acting cylinder (70) near a free end thereof, and a second set of spaced apart arms (20, 22, 24) near a free end thereof, each of which has a horizontally acting cylinder (48) near the free end thereof. Each vertically acting cylinder has a sheet edge contacting element (74) at the free end of its cylinder rod (72), and these edge contacting elements act as fixed stops during the positioning of the object. Each horizontally acting cylinder has a sheet edge contacting element (52) of the free end of its cylinder rod (50), and these edge contacting elements act as movable stops during the positioning of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Toledo Automated Concepts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Delventhal, James M. Klempner
  • Patent number: 5133256
    Abstract: A printer plate locating device used in the alignment of printer plates with respect to a screen or stencil holder of a screen printing machine. The present invention is particularly useful when used in a multi-station printing machine where the printing machine sequentially moves the printer plates into a printing station to affect the printing or image transfer. The present invention consists of two securely connected rigid plates and a system of actuators. The mounting plate 1 acts as a support or structural member for the rest of the apparatus. The alignment plate, being smaller in size than the mounting plate, provides edges against which the substrate locating devices of the printer plate make contact. In operation, the present invention is fastened to the screen holder in place of a screen or stencil on the first station of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: AG Communication Systems Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Keaton