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US4855775A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Developing apparatus

Assignee: Tokyo Electron Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-04-22
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Granted: 1989-08-08
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Expires: 2008-04-22
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Abstract

Abstract In a developing apparatus according to the present invention, a supply path of a developing solution is formed in a cup member which constitutes a dip tank of the developing solution so that the spraying pressure of the developing solution is not directly applied to an object to be processed. As a result, uniform, high-quality images can be developed on an entire area of the object.

Inventors

  • 👤 Fuminori Matsuoka

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 08:21
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3021; G03D; G03D5/00; G03D5/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S134/00; Y10S134/902

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 122 words
A developing apparatus, comprising: a cup member forming a dip tank for a developing solution and within which an object to be developed is positioned; means for supplying the developing solution to said cup member so that said object can be dipped in the developing solution for performance of dip development, wherein said means for supplying developing solution comprises a supply path for supplying said developing solution into said cup member and which includes a developing solution supply pipe positioned in said cup member and at least one arcuate slit-like spraying port formed in an inner circumferential wall of said cup member and connected to said supply pipe such that said developing solution is uniformly dispersed from a periphery of said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 122 words
A developing apparatus, comprising: a cup member forming a dip tank for a developing solution and within which an object to be developed is positioned; means for supplying the developing solution to said cup member so that said object can be dipped in the developing solution for performance of dip development, wherein said means for supplying developing solution comprises a supply path for supplying said developing solution into said cup member and which includes a developing solution supply pipe positioned in said cup member and at least one arcuate slit-like spraying port formed in an inner circumferential wall of said cup member and connected to said supply pipe such that said developing solution is uniformly dispersed from a periphery of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 53 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one, arcuate slit-like spraying port comprises a plurality of spraying tubes formed in said inner circumferential wall of said cup member at predetermined angular intervals such that a uniform amount of developing solution is supplied toward a central portion of said cup member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least one arcuate, slit-like spraying port is formed so as to be exposed to a bottom portion of said cup member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cup member comprises an inner cup and a lower cup wherein said inner cup is positioned within said lower cup.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spraying port of said at least one arcuate, slit-like supplying port is formed on a bottom side portion of said cup member with respect to said object located in said cup member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of said dip tank is formed by a portion of said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said object comprises a resist film deposited on a semiconductor wafer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 121 words
A developing apparatus comprising: a cup member forming a dip tank for a developing solution and within which an object to be developed is positioned; means for supplying the developing solution to said cup member so that said object can be dipped in the developing solution for performance of dip development, wherein said means for supplying developing solution comprises a supply path for supplying said developing solution into said cup member and which includes a developing solution supply pipe positioned in said cup member and at least one slit-like spraying port formed in an inner circumferential wall of said cup member and connected to said supply pipe such that said developing solution is uniformly dispersed from a periphery of said object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 121 words
A developing apparatus comprising: a cup member forming a dip tank for a developing solution and within which an object to be developed is positioned; means for supplying the developing solution to said cup member so that said object can be dipped in the developing solution for performance of dip development, wherein said means for supplying developing solution comprises a supply path for supplying said developing solution into said cup member and which includes a developing solution supply pipe positioned in said cup member and at least one slit-like spraying port formed in an inner circumferential wall of said cup member and connected to said supply pipe such that said developing solution is uniformly dispersed from a periphery of said object.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4161356A Cited
JPS5655047A Cited
JPS5745232A Cited
US4429983A Cited
US4557785A Cited
US4519846A Cited
US4682615A Cited
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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) 1992-08-07 1993-02-06 1993-08-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-07 1997-02-06 1997-08-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-07 2001-02-06 2001-08-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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