← Back to Patent Explorer
US4489501A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Spin drier for silicon wafers and the like

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-24
•
Granted: 1984-12-25
•
Expires: 2002-09-24
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract Disclosed herein is a spin drier for silicon wafers and the like including a rotor equipped with at least one holder for a carrier, which is adapted to enclose a silicon wafer or the like therein, and a casing embracing the rotor. The radial distance between the circumferential wall of the casing and the central axis of the rotor gradually increases as the circumferential wall extends all around the rotor in its circumferential direction from a position adjacent to an air exhaust port to the air exhaust port, thereby making an air conduit formed around the rotor gradually wider. The bottom wall of the casing gradually slopes down towards the air exhaust port. Owing to the above construction, the resistance to an air stream through the casing has been reduced, thereby preventing air from flowing back into the rotor after striking the circumferential wall of the casing and thus preventing stains and water on the circumferential wall of the casing from flowing back and sticking on wafers or the like.

Inventors

  • 👤 Seiichiro Aigo

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 02:15
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/16; G03F7/162; F; F26; F26B; F26B5/00; F26B5/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
In a spin drier for silicon wafers and the like including a rotor equipped with at least one holder for a carrier, which is adapted to enclose a silicon wafer or the like therein, and a casing embracing the rotor, the improvement comprising a radial distance between a circumferential wall of the casing and a central axis of the rotor gradually increasing as the circumferential wall extends around the rotor in its circumferential direction from a position adjacent an air exhaust port provided at a selected location in the circumferential wall to an air exhaust port; a bottom wall of the casing gradually sloping downwardly in a direction parallel to the central axis from the position adjacent the air exhaust port circumferentially around to the air exhaust port; and means defining an air intake port above the rotor and adjacent the central axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
In a spin drier for silicon wafers and the like including a rotor equipped with at least one holder for a carrier, which is adapted to enclose a silicon wafer or the like therein, and a casing embracing the rotor, the improvement comprising a radial distance between a circumferential wall of the casing and a central axis of the rotor gradually increasing as the circumferential wall extends around the rotor in its circumferential direction from a position adjacent an air exhaust port provided at a selected location in the circumferential wall to an air exhaust port; a bottom wall of the casing gradually sloping downwardly in a direction parallel to the central axis from the position adjacent the air exhaust port circumferentially around to the air exhaust port; and means defining an air intake port above the rotor and adjacent the central axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
A drier as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper edge of the air exhaust port lies in substantially the same plane as a top wall of an air conduit formed in the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
A drier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing is enclosed in an external housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
A drier as claimed in claim 3, wherein the external housing is provided at a location above the casing with a freely openable lid which centrally defines the air intake port covered by a screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
A drier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the casing is higher at its central region than at its peripheral region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
A drier as claimed in claim 1, wherein a top wall of the casing is provided with a circular wall pendant from an inner peripheral edge thereof, whereby preventing air from flowing downwardly back into the rotor.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2591669A Cited
US3152875A Cited
US3246404A Cited
US3566582A Cited
US4087924A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1987-12-25 1988-06-25 1988-12-25 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1991-12-25 1992-06-25 1992-12-25 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1995-12-25 1996-06-25 1996-12-25 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag