US4616683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Particle-free dockable interface for integrated circuit processing
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1985-04-08
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Granted: 1986-10-14
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Expires: 2005-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A particle-free dockable interface is disclosed for linking together two spaces each enclosing a clean air environment. The interface is composed of interlocking doors on each space which fit together to trap particles which have accumulated from the dirty ambient environment on the outer surfaces of the doors.
Inventors
- 👤 Barclay J. Tullis
- 👤 Mihir Parikh
- 👤 David L. Thrasher
- 👤 Mark E. Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/30; H10P72/34; H10P72/3408
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An interface between first and second containers comprising: alignment means for orienting the first container in a fixed position relative to the second container; a first door for independently sealing the first container; a second door for independently sealing the second container; said first and second doors each having a mating outer surface of substantially equal exterior dimensions, so that substantially all contamination which has accumulated on the exterior surface of the doors when the containers are separated will be trapped between said doors when the containers are positioned together with said alignment means; and elevator means coupled to said doors for transporting said doors into said containers as a single unit while said doors are coupled together at their mating outer surfaces and said doors are held together substantially only by gravity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An interface between first and second containers comprising: alignment means for orienting the first container in a fixed position relative to the second container; a first door for independently sealing the first container; a second door for independently sealing the second container; said first and second doors each having a mating outer surface of substantially equal exterior dimensions, so that substantially all contamination which has accumulated on the exterior surface of the doors when the containers are separated will be trapped between said doors when the containers are positioned together with said alignment means; and elevator means coupled to said doors for transporting said doors into said containers as a single unit while said doors are coupled together at their mating outer surfaces and said doors are held together substantially only by gravity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An interface as in claim 1 wherein said door mating outer surfaces contact substantially only in a region within a limited distance around the entire outer perimeters of said doors, so that the surface area of contact is small relative to the total surface areas of the doors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An interface as in claim 2 wherein the surface area of contact is less than 20% of the total surface areas of the doors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An interface as in claim 1 wherein the trapped contamination comprises particulate matter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-13 | 1990-04-14 | 1990-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-13 | 1994-04-14 | 1994-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-13 | 1998-04-14 | 1998-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |