Abstract: An automatic transport device for cleaning machines includes a transport base. A lifting-lowering assembly and a tray are provided on the transport base. The tray is connected to the transport base through the lifting-lowering assembly, and can be driven by the lifting-lowering assembly to reciprocate in a height direction. A top surface of the tray is provided with a translation assembly for transferring the shelf to the transport platform. A first mounting cavity is provided at each of front and rear ends of the tray. The translation assembly is connected to a side wall of the first mounting cavity. A second mounting cavity is provided at each of right and left ends of the tray. The second mounting cavity is provided with a limiting assembly, a lifting-lowering sensing assembly and a distance sensing assembly. An interactive system is provided in the transport base.

Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.

Abstract: Methods of reprocessing physiological sensors may include applying heat to a physiological sensor so as to efficiently remove adhesives, adhesive layers, and/or other disposable components of the sensor. Heat may be applied to the physiological sensor efficiently via a medium, such as an aqueous solution (for example, water). Reusable components of the physiological sensor may then be reassembled with new disposable components and/or adhesives to produce a reprocessed sensor. The methods may further include testing and/or replacement of various reusable sensor components, testing of the reprocessed sensor, cleaning of the reprocessed sensor and/or sensor components, and/or sterilization of the reprocessed sensor, among other steps.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for integrated cleaning of objects comprising a sequence of wet cleaning and vacuum drying in a same process chamber. The present integrated cleaning process can eliminate moving parts, improving the system reliability. Vacuum decontamination can be included for degassing and decontaminating the cleaned objects. In an embodiment, a cleaner system combines various movements into an integrated movement to be handled by a robot, for example, to improve the throughput. For example, an integrated robot movement comprising picking up a closed container from the input load port, moving both the lid and body together, and then depositing the body and lid separately into the appropriate positions in the cleaner to be cleaned.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus that includes a wafer holding unit configured to hold and rotate a target wafer W, and a cleaning jig with a supplying surface that covers a joint surface of the target wafer W. The cleaning jig is provided with a gas-liquid supplying unit configured to supply a solvent of an adhesive, a rinse liquid of the solvent and an inert gas into a gap between the joint surface and the supplying surface. The cleaning jig is also provided with a suction unit configured to suck the solvent or rinse liquid (mixed liquid) which is supplied to the gap between the joint surface and the supplying surface, and a gas supplying unit configured to supply gas to a step portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a EUV cleaner system and process for cleaning a EUV carrier. The euv cleaner system comprises separate dirty and cleaned environments, separate cleaning chambers for different components of the double container carrier, gripper arms for picking and placing different components using a same robot handler, gripper arms for holding different components at different locations, horizontal spin cleaning and drying for outer container, hot water and hot air (70 C) cleaning process, vertical nozzles and rasterizing megasonic nozzles for cleaning inner container with hot air nozzles for drying, separate vacuum decontamination chambers for outgassing different components, for example, one for inner and one for outer container with high vacuum (e.g., <10?6 Torr) with purge gas, heaters and RGA sensors inside the vacuum chamber, purge gas assembling station, and purge gas loading and unloading station.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly is provided comprising a multi-component electrode and a peripherally engaging electrode carrier. The peripherally engaging electrode carrier comprises a carrier frame and a plurality of reciprocating electrode supports. The multi-component electrode is positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture of the carrier frame. The backing plate of the electrode comprises a plurality of mounting recesses formed about its periphery. The reciprocating electrode supports can be reciprocated into and out of the mounting recesses. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.

Abstract: The invention is directed to semi-solid food product metering devices that typically have two counter rotating feed rollers with ends to entrain the semi-solid food product and has an at least one actuating device. The two feed rollers have two roller end plates at each end of the feed rollers, one being at a distal end of the rollers and the other at a proximal end of the rollers relative to the at least one actuating device with an at least one support bar. The feed rollers make a positive seal with the end plates. The semi-solid food product metering device of the invention has an open position and an operating position where the at least one support bar supports the two roller end plates in position while in the operating position and operating the semi-solid food product metering device, and allowing for lateral movement of the end plates away from the ends of the feed rollers to allow access to the gap between the feed roller ends and the roller end plates in the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes a proximity head and a megasonic proximity head. The proximity head is configured to be applied to a substrate frontside and is capable of generating a preparation meniscus on the substrate frontside. The preparation meniscus includes a preparation chemistry that is configured to remove a material defined on the substrate frontside. The megasonic proximity head is configured to be applied to a substrate backside, and is capable of generating a coupling meniscus on the substrate backside. The megasonic proximity head is further capable of imparting megasonic energy to the coupling meniscus. The megasonic energy imparted to the coupling meniscus is configured to enhance a mass transport of the preparation chemistry through a material to be removed on the substrate frontside.

Abstract: A method for on-line cleaning of a heat exchanger in an ethanol plant, including providing heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger has an inlet, and an internal surface, wherein said internal surface has accumulated undesired solids; providing an antifoaming agent to said inlet, during normal operation; providing a caustic to said inlet, during normal operation, and cleaning the internal surface of said accumulated undesired solids, during normal operation is provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for replacing objective parts, especially of a projection or illumination objective for microlithography in which an objective having an objective interior and objective parts provided therein is provided. At least one objective part is replaceably accommodated in the objective. Immediately prior to installation in the objective, the replaceable objective part is cleaned outside the objective interior in at least one cleaning room sealed off from the ambient atmosphere. Immediately after cleaning, the replaceable objective is installed in the objective without contact with the normal ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for automatically exchanging cleaning tools of a robot cleaner and a method therefor. The system for automatically exchanging the cleaning tools of the robot cleaner includes the robot cleaner for deciding whether a currently-mounted first cleaning tool is suitable for a bottom state of a cleaning area, and returning to and being docked on an exchange unit when the first cleaning tool is not suitable for the bottom state, and the exchange unit for exchanging the first cleaning tool currently mounted on the robot cleaner with a second cleaning tool suitable for the bottom state when the robot cleaner is docked.

Abstract: A sponge sanitizing apparatus for attachment to a shallow tray, basin, plate or similar fluid retaining structure used for receiving a sponge to be sanitized includes a sanitizing cartridge having a cannular body, a closed top, and a closed bottom. The cannular body defines at least one aperture therethrough proximate to the closed bottom. A sterilant is housed within the sanitizing cartridge. An attachment arm is affixed to the cannular body above the defined aperture for attaching the apparatus to the fluid retaining structure.

Abstract: Apparatus to clean silicon electrode assembly surfaces which controls or eliminates possible chemical attack of electrode assembly bonding materials, and eliminates direct handling contact with the parts to be cleaned during acid treatment, spray rinse, blow dry, bake and bagging. Aspects of the apparatus include a kit including an electrode carrier to hold an electrode assembly, a treatment stand to allow access to the electrode assembly, a spider plate to clamp the electrode assembly in the electrode carrier, a nitrogen purge plate to supply nitrogen gas to the backside of the electrode assembly during acid cleaning of the electrode, a water rinse plate to supply water to the electrode face, a blow dry plate to supply nitrogen to dry the electrode assembly and a bake stand to support the electrode assembly during a bake before placing the clean electrode assembly in a bag.

Abstract: In a method of drying molds or mold parts for the manufacture of optical lenses, in particular ophthalmic lenses and especially contact lenses, the mold or mold part to be dried is exposed to drying air. For this purpose, humid pressurized air (T) is used to which the mold or mold part is exposed.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing a roller paint brush cover from a handle framework and cleaning the roller paint brush cover, having a gripping device for gripping the roller paint brush cover, a holding device for receiving the roller paint brush cover from the gripping device and for holding the roller paint brush cover while the roller paint brush cover is being cleaned, a motion imparting device for imparting rotational motion to the holding device and the roller paint brush cover, and a mounting device for mounting the holding device on the motion imparting device.

Abstract: A rotary substrate processing apparatus includes a rotor 1 having a holding member for holding a plurality of semiconductor wafers W arranged at appropriate intervals and a motor 4 for rotating the rotor 1. The holding member includes open/close holding rods 3 that are moved to open or close the rotor 1 in inserting the wafers W into the rotor 1 sideways and a plurality of constant-position holding rods 2a to 2d for holding the wafers W in cooperation with the open/close holding rods 3. Among the constant-position holding rods 2a to 2d, at least one constant-position holding rod 2a is equipped with a plurality of press members 5 which move toward respective peripheral portions of the wafers W by centrifugal force due to the rotation of the rotor 1. Consequently, it becomes possible to make the wafers W follow the rotation of the rotor 1 ensurely and also possible to reduce slip between the open/close holding rods 3, the constant-position holding rods 2a to 2d and the wafers W.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning boxes used for handling flat media includes a rotor rotatably mounted within an enclosure, with spray nozzles in the enclosure for spraying fluid toward the rotor. The rotor has at least one box holder assembly for holding a box. At least one retainer bar is located on the rotor for engaging a front section of the box to retain the box in the box holder assembly during rotation of the rotor. The retainer bar is preferably moveable from a first position where the retainer bar restrains the box on the box holder assembly, to a second position where the retainer bar is moved away from the box. The box holder assembly may alternatively include a base with a plurality of grooved elements thereon that are adapted to engage a flange on the box for securing the box to the box holder assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a substrate having a porous layer from the porous layer is provided. A bonded substrate stack having a porous layer is supported by substrate holders while being rotated. A jet nozzle ejects a high-speed, high-pressure liquid or water. The jet thrusts into the bonded substrate through a guide unit. The position in the x-axis direction of this guide unit is adjusted by a motor such that the jet is concentrated into the bonding interface of the bonded substrate stack.

Abstract: In order to reuse dishes, cutlery, glassware and other food service utensils onboard an aircraft, a washing apparatus is provided as a part of the food service system onboard the aircraft. The apparatus includes a service trolley and a washing unit that may be coupled together to form a washing chamber within the trolley. The washing unit is installed within a trolley parking bay in a galley of the aircraft and is connected to a water supply and a power supply. The trolley is equipped with racks for receiving the dirty utensils, and the washing unit is equipped with water spray arms that reach into the trolley into clearance spaces between the racks. The dirty utensils are collected from passengers directly into the service trolley, which is then wheeled into position in the trolley parking bay, and coupled to the washing unit. Thereby, the utensils may be collected, cleaned, stored, and reused, with only minimal handling, cost, and space requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rinsing device for trocar sleeves. A rinsing and accommodating tube for a trocar sleeve integrated into a basket system may be pivoted from a horizontal rinsing position into a vertical equipping and removal position by way of a pivoting part which is pivotably mounted on a base. All disassemblable individual parts of the trocar sleeve are mounted in a basket system with point contact free of areas shaded to rinsing and may after assembly of the individual parts remain in the basket for sterilization.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.

Abstract: A processing system for processing of wafers that are formed by slicing a cylindrical workpiece which is adhered to a support plate by an adhesive agent. The processing system includes a washing apparatus, a removing apparatus, a separating apparatus, and a transferring apparatus. The washing apparatus washes the wafers that are remained adhered to the support plate. The removing apparatus removes a group of the wafers from the support plate. The removed wafers are gathered in a cylindrical shape. The separating apparatus separates the wafers one by one. The separating apparatus includes a vessel for accommodating the wafers separated one from another. The transferring apparatus transfers the wafers from the washing apparatus to the removing apparatus and then to the separating apparatus.

Abstract: Wafer debonding of a bonded bulk wafer and a device wafer using a liquid jet to avoid scratching of the wafers is provided. The wafer debonder includes a wafer loader having a first stand with a flat upper surface and a second stand located above the first stand having a lower surface slanted with respect to the upper surface of the first stand at a predetermined angle. A first holder is connected to the first stand and a second holder is located on an imaginary surface extended from the lower surface of the second stand for holding the wafers. A liquid jetting nozzle is positioned adjacent the wafer loader to direct a jet of liquid at the interface between the wafers to separate the wafers.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor substrate having a surface and a mechanical strength; adhering a reinforcing plate to the surface of the semiconductor substrate with an adhesive to increase the mechanical strength of the semiconductor substrate and processing the semiconductor substrate; and immersing the semiconductor substrate with the reinforcing plate in a heated solvent to melt and dissolve the adhesive, thereby separating the semiconductor substrate from the reinforcing plate. An apparatus for performing the methods includes a holder for holding the semiconductor substrate with the reinforcing plate; a container for accommodating the holder and for containing a solvent that dissolves the adhesive and a heater for heating the solvent. When the adhesive between the semiconductor substrate and the reinforcing plate is sufficiently dissolved by the solvent, the semiconductor substrate is separated from the reinforcing plate.

Abstract: Wafer debonding of a bonded bulk wafer and a device wafer using a liquid jet to avoid scratching of the wafers is provided. The wafer debonder includes a wafer loader having a first stand with a flat upper surface and a second stand located above the first stand having a lower surface slanted with respect to the upper surface of the first stand at a predetermined angle. A first holder is connected to the first stand and a second holder is located on an imaginary surface extended from the lower surface of the second stand for holding the wafers. A liquid jetting nozzle is positioned adjacent the wafer loader to direct a jet of liquid at the interface between the wafers to separate the wafers.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating a molded hydrophilic contact lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. A first rotary transfer device then hands the first hydration carrier to a second robotic assembly which immerses the first hydration carrier in a hydration bath to hydrate the lens and to release the lens from the lens mold. While the lens is immersed in the hydration bath, each lens is transferred from its respective mold to a lens transfer means found within the top chamber plate.

Abstract: A unit for the rapid and reliable decontamination of containers containing contaminated liquids. The apparatus automatically receives, opens, empties, rinses and drys the containers individually. The containers may be sorted as a function of their residual contamination. The containers may optionally be crushed at a temperature at which they are rendered fragile. The containers, whether uncrushed or crushed, are then put into storage or waste canisters. The soiled or contaminated liquids are received by separate collectors.

Abstract: A device and method for high speed production rates in the hydration of soft contact lenses. Such device and method includes the use robotic transfer equipment to transfer contact lens molds containing contact lenses to and from a hydration station and a flushing station.

Abstract: A drum processing apparatus serves to purge and decontaminate successive product-containing storage drums. The drum processing apparatus includes a drum deheading station, a drum emptying station, and at least one drum cleaning station. The drum deheading station includes high frequency torch or non-flammable cutting device for removing a lid of the drum to provide an opening at one end of the drum. The drum emptying station includes a drum invertor for emptying the contents of the drum through the opening in the drum. The drum cleaning stations are located downstream of the drum emptying station, and function to remove contaminants from the interior and exterior surfaces of the drum. A drum table moves the successive drums downstream from the drum deheading station to the drum emptying station and the drum cleaning station.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing denser materials from the bottom of an oil storage tank provides an extended bottom hose with multiple openings which lies on the bottom of the tank. The bottom hose is attached to a riser through which liquid is removed from the tank. The bottom hose and riser assembly can be partially assembled prior to lowering it into the tank, with assembly completed after the bottom hose has been lowered through an opening and is completely within the storage tank. The extended bottom hose removes denser materials from a larger area on the floor of the tank than is possible from a single opening. A sample tube is provided attached to the riser just outside the storage tank to allow sampling of the liquid being pumped from the tank. The cleanout process can be shut off when good oil begins to be pumped out of the tank.

Abstract: A machine for treating objects with a treatment liquid, in particular with an etching medium, comprises a nozzle assembly, which is able to move to and fro in the manner of a drawer between a working position within the housing and a maintenance position outside the housing. In the maintenance position, nozzles located on the nozzle assembly are easily accessible for cleaning, for alignment or for being exchanged. A plug-in coupling, by which the nozzle assembly is supplied with the treatment liquid, is automatically detached when the nozzle assembly is moved out and re-closes when the nozzle assembly is guided back into its working position.

Abstract: A machine for cleaning a coupler consisting substantially of a male coupler element and a female coupler element, especially mating surfaces related parts thereof is proposed for avoiding fouling thereof in advance of practical coupling of both the elements. The machine is provided with a ring tube type cleaner unit suspended from a detachable top cover of a cleaning box. The inside space of the ring tube constitutes a liquid chamber supplied with cleaning water from a source and delivers from a number of nozzle openings formed through the inner wall of the ring tube, for delivery of sweep water jets in the center of the ring tube, where the tip and to-be-coupled ends of both the coupler elements are positioned at a small mutual distance. After cleaning jobs, either one of the male and female coupler elements is advanced to mating position for establishing a tight contact with the other one of the coupler elements for avoiding otherwise frequently encountered, disadvantageous fouling.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for treating semiconductor wafers with fluids. The device comprises one or more vessels having lateral walls defining open ends. The vessels are arranged serially, and the open ends are engaged with a treatment fluid inlet and a treatment fluid outlet. Wafers or a wafer carrier are introduced into the vessels for treatment. The vessels are constructed of material that is inert to the treatment fluids and designed to minimize creation of eddy currents and fluid traps. Hydraulically full fluid flow through the vessel uniformly contacts the wafers with the fluid and results in improved and more reproducible prediffusion cleaning, rinsing, etc.

Abstract: A spray system is disclosed for forming directed streams of liquid under pressure. A supply conduit having an open end and a manifold communicating with a plurality of spray nozzles and having an inlet conduit with an open end cooperate for insertion of the inlet conduit into the supply conduit to connect the manifold to the supply conduit, the manifold is placed near the supply conduit in a predetermined but misaligned position. A plate having a slot defines at least a portion of a pair of cam surfaces and a wash arm formed on the manifold defines a cam follower. Rotation of the inlet conduit about its central axis causes the cam follower to contact and cooperate with the cam surfaces to produce lateral force along the inlet conduit, thereby forcing the same into fluid-tight engagement with the supply conduit.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for treating semiconductor wafers with fluids. The device comprises a plurality of vessel segments having lateral walls for enclosing the wafers defining open ends. Sealing structure is provided at the ends so that the segments may be serially nested together and engaged with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in a wafer treatment fluid flow line. The vessel segments are constructed of material that is inert to the treatment fluids and designed to minimize creation of eddy currents and fluid traps. Fluid flowing through the vessel uniformly contacts the wafers and results in improved and more reproducible pre-diffusion cleaning, rinsing, etc.

Abstract: Wafers (12), including those in the solid state electronics industry, are demounted from an adherent surface (79). A respective passageway (90) is extended from a fluid supply device (92), through the adherent surface (79) to and in communication with, the mounting surface (16) of a respective wafer (12). The fluid is applied via the passageway (90) to and between the mounting surface (16) of the wafer (12) and the adherent surface (79) with sufficient pressure to dislodge the wafer (12). In an advantageous embodiment, the passageway (90) extends to a location between about the centerline (98) and the periphery of the wafer (12). The fluid is thereby applied in an off-center manner with leveraged force to break the seal between the adherent surface (79) and the wafer (12).

Abstract: A novel sealing arrangement for mounting a combination pump-motor assembly in sealed relationship to the bottom opening of a dishwasher tub, whereby a fluid-tight seal is insured, notwithstanding thermal expansion and contraction of the tub bottom. The seal is effected between a circumferential downwardly directed bead, of a flexible shroud that covers the assembly, and an upwardly facing grooved lip which defines the opening in the tub bottom whereby the weight of the wash fluid in the tub tends to enhance the sealing action.