IP Library Granted Patent US 11,731,240
Granted Patent B2
US 11,731,240 · App. 16/228,525 · Granted Aug 22, 2023

Substrate processing apparatus

Inventors: Kuniaki Yamaguchi (Tokyo, JP); Itsuki Kobata (Tokyo, JP); Toshio Mizuno (Tokyo, JP); Mitsuru Miyazaki (Tokyo, JP); Naoki Toyomura (Tokyo, JP); Takuya Inoue (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
B24B53/017B08B1/04B08B3/02H01L21/67046H01L21/67051B08B2203/0288
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,731,240
App. No.
16/228,525
Granted
Aug 22, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a buff process module. The buff process module includes: a buff table on which a processing target object is mounted; a buff head that holds a buff pad for applying a predetermined process to the processing target object; a buff arm that supports and swings the buff head; a dresser for dressing the buff pad; and a cleaning mechanism that is disposed between the buff table and the dresser and is for cleaning the buff pad.

Claims (14)

1. A method of cleaning a support surface of a buff table of an apparatus for buff-processing a processing target object, the buff table being for supporting the processing target object,

the apparatus comprising: a nozzle for supplying the support surface with a chemical solution for cleaning the support surface of the buff table; and

a buff head to which a buff pad for buff-processing the processing target object through physical contact is attached, wherein the buff head is configured such that a cleaning member including a brush or a sponge member for cleaning the support surface of the buff table through physical contact is attached to the buff head;

wherein the buff table includes a fluid passage that extends to the support surface and is for supplying a fluid to the support surface through the buff table while the support surface of the buff table is cleaned,

wherein the fluid passage is configured to communicate with a pure water and/or chemical solution supply source, and

wherein the fluid passage is configured to be communicable with a vacuum source for causing the processing target object to be vacuum-sucked onto the support surface while the processing target object is buff-processed,

the method comprising: a step of supplying the support surface with a chemical solution from the nozzle for cleaning the support surface of the buff table; and

a step of cleaning the support surface of the buff table through physical contact using the brush or the sponge member.

2. The method of cleaning the support surface of the buff table according to claim 1 , wherein the buff table includes a stage film, and a surface of the stage film serves as the support surface for supporting the processing target object.

3. The method of cleaning the support surface of the buff table according to claim 1 , wherein the buff table includes a conveyor mechanism for conveying the processing target object to and/or from the buff table, and the method further includes a step of cleaning the conveyor mechanism while cleaning the support surface.

4. The method of cleaning the support surface of the buff table according to claim 1 , further including a step of changing a position of the nozzle, while the support surface of the buff table is cleaned.

5. The method of cleaning the support surface of the buff table according to claim 1 , further including a step of cleaning the support surface of the buff table using at least one of an atomizer cleaner, an ultrasonic cleaner, and a cavitation jet cleaner.

6. The method of cleaning the support surface of the buff table according to claim 1 , wherein the buff pad and the cleaning member are configured to independently ascend and descend,

wherein the cleaning member protrudes with respect to the buff pad when cleaning the support surface of the buff table.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2018
From: YAMAGUCHI, KUNIAKI; KOBATA, ITSUKI; MIZUNO, TOSHIO; MIYAZAKI, MITSURU; TOYOMURA, NAOKI; INOUE, TAKUYA
To: EBARA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047837/0991 →
Priority Claims (6)
JP 2014-171837 · Aug 26, 2014 · national
JP 2014-171841 · Aug 26, 2014 · national
JP 2014-185489 · Sep 11, 2014 · national
JP 2014-185508 · Sep 11, 2014 · national
JP 2014-195584 · Sep 25, 2014 · national
JP 2014-257563 · Dec 19, 2014 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15604328 · May 24, 2017
Division 14832767 · Aug 21, 2015
Related Publication 20190118338A1 · Apr 25, 2019