IP Library Granted Patent US 8,172,954
Granted Patent B2
US 8,172,954 · App. 10/435,293 · Granted May 8, 2012

Apparatus for simultaneous two-disk scrubbing and washing

Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,172,954
App. No.
10/435,293
Granted
May 8, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various methods and apparatus for simultaneously cleaning two single-sided hard memory disks is provided. The two disks are placed in concentric contact merge orientation such that the outwardly facing surface of each disk, which has memory storage capabilities, may be simultaneously cleaned by equipment designed to clean one double-sided disk. Conversely, no effort is expended in cleaning the abutting inactive surfaces of the disks.

Claims (50)

1. A method of manufacturing single-sided hard memory disks, comprising:

a. placing a plurality of disks in a selected carrier included in a plurality of carriers each configured for transporting disks;

b. removing a pair of the disks from the selected carrier with a gap between the pair of disks;

c. removing the gap between the pair of disks to place the pair of disks in a contact merge orientation;

d. after (c) and while the pair of disks are still removed from the selected carrier from (b) and still in the contact merge orientation from (c), simultaneously scrubbing the outside surfaces of the pair of disks with rotating brushes;

e. after (d) and while the pair of disks are still removed from the selected carrier from (b), forming another gap between the pair of disks; and

f. after (e), placing the pair of disks in one of the plurality of carriers.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a liquid layer between the contacting surfaces of the disks prior to removing the gap from between the pair of disks to increase stiction between the disks in the contact merge orientation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein placing a plurality of disks in a selected carrier comprises positioning the disks in spaced axial alignment and in pairs, with a first spacing between pairs of disks being larger than a second spacing between disks comprising a pair.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second spacing between disks comprising a pair is between approximately 0.025 and 0.070 inches.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second spacing between disks comprising a pair is approximately 0.035 inches.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the gap between the disks further comprises aligning the outside perimeter of the two disks forming the pair of disks.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing a pair of disks from the selected carrier further comprises removing adjacent disks from the selected carrier.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein placing a plurality of disks in a selected carrier comprises positioning the disks in spaced axial alignment.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing a pair of the disks from the selected carrier comprises engaging the pair of disks with a saddle.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the gap between the pair of disks comprises engaging the perimeter of the disks forming the pair of disks with a plurality of rollers having a single channel for receiving both disks.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming another gap between the pair of disks comprises forcing a liquid between the pair of disks in the contact merge orientation.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein forming another gap between the pair of disks comprises forcing a wedge device between the pair of disks in the contact merge orientation.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising repeating (b) through (f) for the remaining disks in the selected carrier.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising adjusting the position of the selected carrier each time a pair of disks is returned to the selected carrier following scrubbing.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein removing the gap between the disks forming the pair of disks comprises squeezing the pair of disks between the brushes.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein scrubbing the disks with brushes further comprises rotating the pair of disks during scrubbing.

17. A method of manufacturing single-sided hard memory disks, comprising:

a. placing a plurality of disks in a selected carrier included in a plurality of carriers each configured for transporting disks;

b. removing a pair of the disks from the selected carrier with a gap between the pair of disks;

c. merging the pair of disks into a contact merge orientation;

d. after (c) and while the pair of disks remain removed from the selected carrier from (b) and still in the contact merge orientation from (c), simultaneously scrubbing the R-side surfaces of the pair of disks with opposed rotating brushes;

e. after (d) and while the pair of disks remain removed from the selected carrier from (b), demerging the pair of disks; and

f. after (e), placing the pair of disks in one of the plurality of carriers.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising rotating the pair of disks in unison while cleaning the R-side surfaces.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein placing a plurality of disks in a selected carrier comprises positioning the disks in spaced axial alignment and in pairs, with a first spacing between pairs of disks being larger than a second spacing between disks comprising a pair.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein merging the pair of disks further comprises positioning the disks forming the pair of disks in a concentric contact merge orientation.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein demerging the pair of disks comprises forcing a liquid between the pair of disks in the contact merge orientation.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein demerging the pair of disks comprises forcing a wedge device between the pair of disks in the contact merge orientation.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein simultaneously cleaning the R-side surfaces of the pair of disks further comprises rotating the pair of disks during scrubbing.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein merging the pair of disks comprises squeezing the pair of disks between the brushes.

25. A method comprising:

a. placing first and second disks back to back in a contact merge orientation;

b. after (a), rotating the first and second disks simultaneously;

c. during (b), simultaneously cleaning the exposed outer surface of each disk;

d. after (c) and while the first and second disks remain in the contact merge orientation, containing portions of opposing exposed surfaces of the first and second disks in a demerge device;

e. after (d), demerging the first and second disks to a gap merge orientation while the opposing exposed surfaces remain contained by the demerge device; and

f. after (e) and while the first and second disks remain in the gap merge orientation, transporting the first and second disks via the demerge device to a carrier.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein placing the first and second disks in the contact merge orientation further comprises substantially concentrically aligning the outer perimeter of the disks.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein rotating the pair of disks simultaneously comprises engaging the outer perimeter of each disk with a plurality of edge rollers.

28. The method of claim 25 , wherein simultaneously cleaning the exposed outer surface of each disk comprises applying a rotating brush to the exposed outer surface of each disk.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the contacting surfaces of each disk in the contact merge orientation are inactive surfaces for memory storage purposes.

30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the exposed surfaces of each disk in the contact merge orientation are active surfaces for memory storage purposes.

31. The method of claim 25 , wherein the demerging the first and second disks comprises introducing a pressurized fluid between the abutting disks in the contact merge orientation.

32. The method of claim 25 , wherein the demerging the first and second disks comprises forcing a wedge device between the abutting disks in the contact merge orientation.

Assignments (7)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS; I365 INC.; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; SEAGATE HDD CAYMAN; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY (US) HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 072193/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Jul 19, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; EVAULT INC. (F/K/A I365 INC.); SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY US HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 030833/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 24, 2011
From: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026010/0350 →
RELEASE Recorded Jan 19, 2011
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY HDD HOLDINGS; MAXTOR CORPORATION; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 025662/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2009
From: MAXTOR CORPORATION
To: SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC
Reel/Frame 022987/0909 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 15, 2009
From: MAXTOR CORPORATION; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY LLC; SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND FIRST PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE; WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND SECOND PRIORITY REPRESENTATIVE
Reel/Frame 022757/0017 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 9, 2003
From: CROFTON, WALTER; WYPYCH, ANDREW
To: MAXTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014064/0724 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 60417432 · Oct 10, 2002
Provisional Application 60425614 · Nov 11, 2002
Related Publication 20040070859A1 · Apr 15, 2004