US3748677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and apparatus for scrubbing thin, fragile slices of material
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-31
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1992-01-31
Abstract
Abstract Simultaneously, both sides of a thin, fragile slice of brittle material, such as single-crystal silicon, are scrubbed. The slices are loaded, one at a time, into a rotatable disc having pockets formed in the periphery thereof. The disc conveys the slices between two opposed counter-rotatable brushes within a detergent spray. After passing the rotatable brushes, the slices drop from the disc and float through the detergent bath to a container positioned below the disc.
Inventors
- 👤 G Frank
- 👤 K Kipp
- 👤 D Oswald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0402; H10P72/0406
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for scrubbing slices of material, which comprises: a substantially planar slice-conveying disc, the disc being rotatable about an axis, the disc having a thickness greater than the slices to be scrubbed, and having slice-holding pockets formed about the periphery thereof each of said pockets being formed of a slotted aperture extending through the thickness of the disc and open to the periphery of the disc, the aperture being at least partially bounded by a groove adapted to engage a portion of the periphery of the slice when the slice is substantially coplanar to the disc and within the aperture so that a major portion of both sides of the slice are exposed within the aperture; opposed rotatable brushes for engaging the exposed portions on opposite sides of the disc; and means for rotating the disc about its axis to pass successive ones of the slices between the opposed brushes whereby the portions of the slices exposed within the apertures are scrubbed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for scrubbing slices of material, which comprises: a substantially planar slice-conveying disc, the disc being rotatable about an axis, the disc having a thickness greater than the slices to be scrubbed, and having slice-holding pockets formed about the periphery thereof each of said pockets being formed of a slotted aperture extending through the thickness of the disc and open to the periphery of the disc, the aperture being at least partially bounded by a groove adapted to engage a portion of the periphery of the slice when the slice is substantially coplanar to the disc and within the aperture so that a major portion of both sides of the slice are exposed within the aperture; opposed rotatable brushes for engaging the exposed portions on opposite sides of the disc; and means for rotating the disc about its axis to pass successive ones of the slices between the opposed brushes whereby the portions of the slices exposed within the apertures are scrubbed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for scrubbing fragile slices of material, which comprises: a substantially planar disc rotatable with the plane of the disc oriented vertically, the disc having pockets formed into the periphery thereof for loosely holding the slices when the pockets are oriented in an upward position by the rotation of the disc and for discharging the slices when the pockets are oriented in a downward position by the rotation of the disc; a pair of opposed brushed positioned to engage both sides of the disc so that upon rotation of the disc, the slices held within the upwardly position pockets pass between and are scrubbed by said brushes; and means for cushioning the slices as they are discharged from downwardly positioned pockets to reduce breakage of the slices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for scrubbing fragile slices of material, which comprises: a substantially planar disc rotatable with the plane of the disc oriented vertically, the disc having pockets formed into the periphery thereof for loosely holding the slices when the pockets are oriented in an upward position by the rotation of the disc and for discharging the slices when the pockets are oriented in a downward position by the rotation of the disc; a pair of opposed brushed positioned to engage both sides of the disc so that upon rotation of the disc, the slices held within the upwardly position pockets pass between and are scrubbed by said brushes; and means for cushioning the slices as they are discharged from downwardly positioned pockets to reduce breakage of the slices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which further comprises means for spraying a water detergent solution into the area of engagement of the brushes with the disc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the brushes rotate in opposite directions with each brush rotating in a direction which tends to force the engaged slice inwardly of the disc, thus maintaining the slice within its respective pocket during brush engagement.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 2 which further comprises: a fluid-tight container adapted to surround at least a portion of the rotatable disc; and means to maintain a fluid level in the container sufficiently high to cover at least a portion of the disc thereby creating a fluid bath as a cushion for fragile slices dropping out of their respective pockets.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the slice-conveying disc has a thickness greater than the slices to be scrubbed, and the slice-holding pockets about the periphery thereof are formed of a slotted aperture extending through the thickness of the disc and open to the periphery of the disc, the aperture being at least partially bounded by a groove adapted to engage a portion of the periphery of the slice when the slice is substantially coplanar to the disc and within the aperture so that a major portion of both sides of the slice are exposed within the aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the aperture of the pocket is comprised of a semi-circular portion and a parallel sided slot connecting the semi-circular portion with the outer periphery of the disc, the slot having a central axis oriented at an acute angle with respect to a radial line connecting the center of the disc and the center of the semi-circular portion said orientation being in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the disc whereby slices dropping from the disc are cushioned more effectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the acute angle between the slot axis and the radial line is 30* .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pockets are arranged at an angle with respect to the radius of the disc and slices are discharged by being rolled from the pockets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the cushioning means is a bath of water and detergent, and the bath is sprayed on the slices and the disc during rotation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |